Naman – A Divine Evening with Indian Classical Dance
About the Event

Naman – A Humble Offering of Reverence is a thoughtfully curated evening of Indian classical dance presented by Krishnam Performing Arts Academy and led by Smt. Seema Krishnan.

The event brings together distinguished artists from the classical dance tradition for an evening centred around artistry, tradition and reverence.

Scheduled for 2 October 2026 from 5:30 PM onwards, the programme will take place at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Race Course Road, Bengaluru.

The evening features performances by two renowned classical dancers, a special Kathak duet, and a Kathak presentation by Smt. Seema Krishnan and students of Krishnam Performing Arts Academy.

With performances spanning Kathak and Bharatanatyam, Naman offers audiences an opportunity to experience different dimensions of Indian classical dance through the artistry of accomplished performers.

A Humble Offering of Reverence

The word Naman conveys a gesture of reverence or respectful offering.

The theme provides the foundation for an evening that celebrates the dedication, discipline and artistic depth associated with Indian classical dance.

Presented by Krishnam Performing Arts Academy, the programme brings together experienced artists and teachers whose work represents different classical dance traditions.

The evening is intended as a celebration of the art form and the traditions passed through generations of dedicated practitioners.

Krishnam Performing Arts Academy

Krishnam Performing Arts Academy presents Naman as a curated evening of Indian classical dance.

The programme is led by Smt. Seema Krishnan, who appears both as a performer and alongside her students in a Kathak presentation.

Her involvement brings together performance, choreography, teaching and the continuation of classical dance training within the academy.

The evening also creates a platform for accomplished guest artists whose work adds to the range of classical dance presented during the event.

Guru Vidushi Smt. Durga Arya Krüger

One of the featured artists of the evening is Guru Vidushi Smt. Durga Arya Krüger.

She is presented as an internationally acclaimed Kathak exponent of the Lucknow Gharana and a prime disciple of the legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj.

Her artistic identity is associated with a command over laya, graceful chakkars and expressive bhav.

Kathak and the Lucknow Gharana

Kathak is a major Indian classical dance tradition known for its rhythmic precision, expressive storytelling and intricate movement vocabulary.

The Lucknow Gharana is one of the prominent stylistic traditions within Kathak, with a strong emphasis on grace and expressive interpretation.

As presented in the event details, Smt. Durga Arya Krüger brings this tradition to Naman through her performance and artistic experience.

Laya, Chakkars and Bhav

Her performance profile highlights three distinctive elements:

Laya: The relationship between rhythm and movement.

Chakkars: Controlled spins that form a recognisable element of Kathak movement vocabulary.

Bhav: Expressive interpretation and emotional communication through dance.

Together, these elements highlight the rhythmic and expressive dimensions of Kathak.

Guru Dr. Sathyanarayana Raju

The evening also features Guru Dr. Sathyanarayana Raju, an acclaimed Bharatanatyam exponent, choreographer and teacher.

He is presented as a Top graded artist of Doordarshan and a recipient of the Karnataka Kalashree Award.

His artistic profile is associated with powerful nritta, expressive abhinaya and commanding stage presence.

Bharatanatyam Performance

Bharatanatyam is one of India's major classical dance traditions, combining rhythmic movement, expressive storytelling and a structured vocabulary of gesture and form.

Dr. Sathyanarayana Raju's performance brings a Bharatanatyam perspective to an evening that otherwise also features Kathak, giving audiences an opportunity to experience the distinct qualities of two major Indian classical dance traditions.

Nritta and Abhinaya

His artistic description highlights:

Nritta: Pure dance based on rhythm and movement.

Abhinaya: Expressive communication through gesture, expression and interpretation.

The combination of powerful nritta and expressive abhinaya forms an important part of his performance identity.

A Special Kathak Duet

Another highlight of Naman is a special Kathak duet featuring:

Vidushi Smt. Sampada Pillai
and
Vidushi Smt. Seema Krishnan

Both are presented as accomplished Kathak artists, choreographers and teachers with decades of experience in the art form.

A duet creates a different performance dynamic from a solo presentation, with two dancers sharing rhythm, movement, spatial patterns and expressive dialogue within the classical form.

The special Kathak duet adds another dimension to the evening's programme.

Vidushi Smt. Sampada Pillai

Vidushi Smt. Sampada Pillai is featured in the special Kathak duet alongside Smt. Seema Krishnan.

She is described as an accomplished Kathak artist, choreographer and teacher with decades of experience in the art form.

Her participation contributes to the evening's focus on experienced practitioners and the continuing tradition of Kathak performance and teaching.

Smt. Seema Krishnan

Smt. Seema Krishnan is at the centre of the Naman programme.

As the presenter of the evening through Krishnam Performing Arts Academy, she contributes to the event both as an artist and teacher.

She will appear in the special Kathak duet with Vidushi Smt. Sampada Pillai and will also present a separate Kathak presentation with students of Krishnam Performing Arts Academy.

This combination highlights both performance and the teacher-student relationship within classical dance.

Kathak Presentation With Students

Alongside the featured guest performances and duet, the evening will include a Kathak presentation by Smt. Seema Krishnan and students of Krishnam Performing Arts Academy.

This part of the programme brings the academy's students onto the stage and reflects the relationship between learning, teaching and performance.

Classical dance traditions are often carried through structured training and long-term practice, making student presentations an important part of the continuing artistic journey.

Celebrating Two Classical Dance Traditions

One of the notable aspects of Naman is its presentation of both Kathak and Bharatanatyam.

Kathak and Bharatanatyam have distinct movement vocabularies, rhythmic structures and expressive approaches.

Bringing them into the same evening gives audiences an opportunity to experience these differences while appreciating their shared foundation in India's classical dance heritage.

The programme therefore becomes a celebration of classical dance in more than one form.

Tradition Meets Artistic Expression

Indian classical dance combines discipline with interpretation.

Each performance carries the structure of a long-established tradition while allowing an individual artist to bring their own artistic expression to the stage.

The performances featured in Naman reflect this balance through the work of artists recognised for their individual styles, experience and teaching traditions.

A Night of Artistry and Reverence

The theme of Naman is closely connected with reverence.

The evening celebrates not only individual performances but also the larger artistic traditions behind them.

The presence of senior artists, accomplished teachers and students creates a programme that connects experience, learning and performance.

This makes the evening an opportunity to appreciate both the artistry on stage and the traditions that support it.

The Importance of Classical Dance

Indian classical dance is sustained through years of training, practice and teaching.

Artists develop technical control, rhythmic understanding and expressive ability over extended periods of study.

The Naman programme brings together artists whose profiles reflect this depth of involvement in classical dance.

Through their performances, the evening highlights the continuing relevance of these traditions on the contemporary stage.

Experience Kathak Through Multiple Presentations

Kathak appears in several forms during the programme.

Audiences can experience the form through:

The special duet by Smt. Sampada Pillai and Smt. Seema Krishnan
The Kathak presentation by Smt. Seema Krishnan and students of Krishnam Performing Arts Academy
The featured artistry of Guru Vidushi Smt. Durga Arya Krüger

This gives the Kathak component of the evening a varied structure, moving between individual artistry, duet performance and teacher-student presentation.

Experience Bharatanatyam Through an Accomplished Artist

The Bharatanatyam dimension of the programme comes through the performance of Guru Dr. Sathyanarayana Raju.

His profile as a dancer, choreographer and teacher brings together performance and experience within the classical tradition.

His emphasis on nritta, abhinaya and stage presence adds a distinctly Bharatanatyam character to the overall evening.

A Stage Shared by Artists and Students

One of the meaningful aspects of the event is the inclusion of both established artists and students.

The programme brings experienced performers onto the same evening as students of Krishnam Performing Arts Academy.

This creates a connection between artistic experience and the next generation of practitioners.

A Curated Classical Dance Evening in Bengaluru

For audiences in Bengaluru interested in Indian classical dance, Naman offers a dedicated evening featuring established names from Kathak and Bharatanatyam.

The programme provides an opportunity to experience multiple performance formats within one event while remaining focused on classical dance and artistic tradition.

What to Expect

Audiences can look forward to:

An evening of Indian classical dance
Kathak performances
Bharatanatyam performance
A special Kathak duet
Performance by Guru Vidushi Smt. Durga Arya Krüger
Performance by Guru Dr. Sathyanarayana Raju
Kathak duet by Vidushi Smt. Sampada Pillai and Smt. Seema Krishnan
Kathak presentation by Smt. Seema Krishnan and students of Krishnam Performing Arts Academy
A programme centred around artistry, tradition and reverence
Event Details

Event: Naman – A Humble Offering of Reverence
Presented by: Krishnam Performing Arts Academy
Date: 2 October 2026
Time: 5:30 PM onwards
Venue: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Location: Race Course Road, Bengaluru
Art Forms: Kathak and Bharatanatyam

An Evening for Classical Dance Enthusiasts

Naman is designed for audiences who appreciate Indian classical dance and want to experience the work of accomplished practitioners on stage.

The programme brings together different artistic voices while maintaining a shared focus on classical performance.

For long-time followers of Kathak and Bharatanatyam as well as audiences discovering these traditions, the evening offers an opportunity to experience their movement, rhythm and expression in a live setting.

A Celebration of Artistic Legacy

The artists featured in Naman represent different facets of classical dance practice.

Their backgrounds include performance, choreography, teaching and long-term engagement with their respective traditions.

The event therefore celebrates not only the evening's performances but also the artistic legacy carried through training, mentorship and continued practice.

A Journey Through Movement and Expression

The programme brings audiences through different forms of classical dance expression.

Rhythm creates structure.

Movement creates form.

Abhinaya communicates emotion.

Performance brings these elements together before a live audience.

Through its mix of Kathak and Bharatanatyam, Naman provides multiple perspectives on how Indian classical dance communicates through the body.

A Thoughtfully Curated Programme

The event is described as a thoughtfully curated evening, bringing together established artists, a special duet and a student presentation.

The resulting programme balances different forms of classical dance while keeping the theme of reverence at its centre.

Join the Celebration

On 2 October 2026, audiences in Bengaluru can gather at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Race Course Road, for an evening dedicated to Indian classical dance.

With the artistry of Guru Vidushi Smt. Durga Arya Krüger, Guru Dr. Sathyanarayana Raju, Vidushi Smt. Sampada Pillai and Smt. Seema Krishnan, along with students of Krishnam Performing Arts Academy, the programme brings together experience, artistry and learning.

Experience Naman Live

Naman – A Humble Offering of Reverence is a curated evening celebrating the beauty and depth of Indian classical dance.

Featuring Kathak and Bharatanatyam, the programme includes performances by Guru Vidushi Smt. Durga Arya Krüger, an internationally acclaimed Kathak exponent of the Lucknow Gharana; Guru Dr. Sathyanarayana Raju, an acclaimed Bharatanatyam exponent, choreographer and teacher; a special Kathak duet by Vidushi Smt. Sampada Pillai and Smt. Seema Krishnan; and a Kathak presentation by Smt. Seema Krishnan and students of Krishnam Performing Arts Academy.

Join Krishnam Performing Arts Academy for an evening dedicated to artistry, tradition and reverence.

2 October 2026 | 5:30 PM onwards
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Race Course Road, Bengaluru

For any queries: 9900516760