Young Dancers Festival: Charting dance in the age of AI

The 19th edition of the World Dance Day Celebrations 2026, curated by Bharatanatyam exponent Geeta Chandran, concluded successfully on April 26 at the India International Centre (IIC). Presented by Team Natya Vriksha and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the two-day festival brought together an inspiring confluence of tradition, innovation, and artistic dialogue.

Envisioned as a platform to celebrate paramparā while engaging with contemporary ideas, the festival featured an enriching blend of workshops, lecture-demonstrations, panel discussions, and performances by both established and emerging artistes—drawing enthusiastic participation from dancers, students, and connoisseurs alike.

A key highlight of the festival was the Yangshak Movement Workshop conducted across both days by Imphal-based choreographer Surjit Nongmeikapam. Rooted in the philosophy of Lairen Mathek, the workshop offered participants a deeply immersive experience, exploring the body through breath, impulse, and spatial awareness, while drawing from Manipuri traditions including Thang-Ta.

The festival also presented “Pravāhita”, an evocative illustrated lecture-performance by Guru Dr. Sucheta Bhide-Chapekar, accompanied by Smt. Arundhati Patwardhan and Ku. Sagarika Patwardhan. Celebrating continuity across three generations, the presentation seamlessly wove Bharatanatyam compositions with the innovative Nritya-Ganga, resonating strongly with audiences for its depth and grace.

A thought-provoking panel discussion titled “AI & Dance: Challenges and Opportunities”, led by Dr. Anita Ratnam with keynote speaker Madhu Nataraj and moderated by Sharanya Chandran, sparked engaging conversations around the intersections of dance, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. The session was widely appreciated for opening new perspectives on how technology can coexist with and influence embodied artistic practices.

The Young Dancers Festival (Yuva Nritya Utsav) emerged as a vibrant showcase of emerging talent from across India. The performances included Bharatanatyam by Karuna Sagari, Kathak by Ameera Patankar, Odissi by Vrinda Chadha, and Kuchipudi by Avijit Das—each artiste bringing distinctive energy and promise to the stage.

Reflecting on the success of the festival, Geeta Chandran shared, “This year’s World Dance Day celebrations reaffirmed my belief in the strength of our artistic community—where tradition and innovation exist in dialogue. It was heartening to witness young dancers engage deeply, and audiences respond with such openness and curiosity.”

Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Anita Ratnam noted, “The conversations around AI and dance revealed both excitement and introspection. While technology offers new tools, the essence of dance remains deeply human—and that balance is what we must continue to explore.”

The 19th World Dance Day Celebrations stood out for its thoughtful curation, seamless execution, and meaningful engagement—further strengthening Natya Vriksha’s commitment to fostering dialogue, learning, and excellence in the performing arts.