School of Performing Arts

“Art doesn’t give rise to anything in us that isn’t already there. It simply stirs our curious consciousness and sparks a fire that illuminates who we have always wanted to be.” - KamandKojouri

About School

The world of performing arts is constantly evolving and dynamic,impacting our world in every sphere in unseen ways. A study of the performing arts therefore, must include linked expressions of individual, communal and societal identities. The ancient texts in Indian philosophy have integrated the context of performance within our collective identity. Across eight codified classical dance forms, two distinct streams of classical music, clearly etched definition of Natya(theatre), along with myriad folk, ritualistic and regional presentations, these forms emphasise the definition of Sangeetam as a combination of Dance, Music and Theatre, as defined in the Natyashatra.
At WUD, we believe that the confluence of the performing arts creates a microcosm of the universe and that the performing arts influence and are informed by, perception of culture, gender, politics and regionality. We believe that the Performing Arts professional must not only be an expert in the field of specialisation, but also a thorough generalist in terms of performance management, production, promotion and presentation. Towards this, our PA program includes a strong element of cultural management. We aim to fulfil the quest of a significant section of the youth of tomorrow, by offering them the opportunity to build a career in not only the entertainment industry – a prime ground for the performing arts- but also in the corporate and developmental world.

Courses Available

BPA Dance (4 Year)

Our BPA is a comprehensive educational program that nurtures both the practice and the performance aspect of dance.....

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MPA Dance (2 Year)

Our MPA (Dance) is a 2 year post graduate program that will help students develop their creative skills and also....

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BPA Music (4 Year)

Our BPA is a comprehensive educational program that nurtures both the practice and the performance aspect of music.....

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MPA Music (2 Year)

MPA (Music) is a 2 year post graduate program that will help students develop their creative skills and also....

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6-MONTH CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME IN FILM ACTING

The Film Acting program prepares one for a career in Hindi Bollywood Film industry. The 6-month....

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PEOPLE

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A talented danseuse, choreographer and educationalist, Dr. Vats holds a Visharad and Alankaar in Kathak from Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal and a PhD in Music from Jai Narayan Vyas University, Jodhpur. She has also cleared her Grade 8 Performance Arts from Trinity College London, with distinction. She is an alumni of and has also been a faculty at Kadamb, Ahmedabad.

As an Educationalist since 2006, she has worked with many prestigious institutions teaching, designing curriculum and training teachers. She has also conducted various dance and drama workshops for the British Council, New Delhi. Her last assignment was as the Principal of Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra in New Delhi. She is a registered member of the International Dance Council, Paris.

Parul has performed on both national and international prosceniums and has been awarded the Yuva Puraskar by Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Academy in 2002, the Veer Durga Das Matri Shakti Award in 2017, and the Sur Sangam Excellence Award for Performing Arts in 2019.

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Simer Preet is known for his extensive knowledge and expertise in Bharatanatyam & Kathak, as well as Ancient Indian History, Culture, and Archaeology. With a double Masters's degree in Performing Arts from Tamil University Tanjore and Ancient Indian History, Culture, and Archaeology from Panjab University Chandigarh, Simer is a UGC NET-qualified academician and a prominent figure in the performing arts community. Simer started his journey at the renowned Kalakshetra Foundation, where he honed his skills in Bharatanatyam and later got his degree in Kathak from Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya. He combines his diverse academic knowledge to create a unique and holistic approach to his teaching methodology.

ADJUNCT FACULTY

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A brilliant Performer and a Leading Choreographer, Shashidharan is a Kathakali and Mayurbhanj Chhau dance exponent. Shashidharan has also mastered the techniques of Creative & Contemporary styles ,Modern Dance, Kalari Payattu under eminent gurus and, Improvisation and Choreography with American Choreographers.

He has been associated with Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra for the last 2 decades– as a dancer, trainer and as a choreographer. Shashidharan has choreographed eight highly popular and critically acclaimed dance productions for Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra. He has toured Japan, Korea & Thailand for ICCR with his work and also presented his productions in India and USA. Shashidharan featured with some of the leading choreographers of India in 3 Choreography > Festivals of Sangeet Natak Akademi held in Bangalore in 1996, Uday Shankar Shatabdi Samaroh in New Delhi in 2001 & in Nritya Sanrachna Festival in Guwahati in 2007.

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As one of the main pioneers of dance/movement therapy in India, Tripura Kashyap began practicing DMT in India in 1990. She studied the discipline at the Hancock Centre for Dance/Movement Therapy in Wisconsin, USA and obtained an M.A. in Psychology in India. She has worked as a Movement therapist at Half-way homes, Special schools, Treatment / Rehabilitation centres, Senior citizens facilities and with individual clients. She also trained in Jazz, Ballet, Modern dance, Choreography and Dance theatre at the International Choreographers Residency at the 'American Dance Festival' USA.

Tripura received fellowships from the Ashoka International Foundation and Indian Ministry of Culture for her innovations in dance therapy and contemporary dance. She authored ‘My Body, My Wisdom’ a handbook on Creative dance therapy and ‘Contemporary Dance: Practices, Paradigms and Practitioners’ published by Penguin and Aayu publications. She was founder-director of Rainbow Inc (Hyderabad) and Apoorva Dance Theatre (Bengaluru). She has worked collaboratively with filmmakers, visual artists and musicians on cross-art projects and performances. She was the projects coordinator for Bhoomika dance Company (Delhi) and consultant for ‘Dance-in-Education’ program at Attakkalari Center for Movement Arts (Bengaluru). She is also a guest faculty at the Psychology Department, Ashoka University and M.A Performance studies, Ambedkar University, Delhi.

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Eminent percussionist, music arranger and tabla exponent, Shri. Prashant Trivedi has been a part of the music industry for the past 20 years. He is one of the rarest musicians who can play almost all the percussion instruments. Disciple of renowned tabla guru Taal Yogi Pt.Suresh Talwalkar,Prashant believes in constant learning as well as giving back the best to the society both as a teacher and performer.Along with being a percussionist, he also has wide contribution as a Music Arranger for more than thousand famous songs in various albums.

He has travelled the world and shared the stage with legends from both Indian classical as well as popular music.He has contributed in many albums and Hindi film projects and is also an integral part of India’s premier rock band EUPHORIA for past 16 years. He is a perfect example of youth Icon, who blends various genres of music with ease and mesmerizes his audience with his versatile talent.

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Shinto Mathew, a renowned Gurukkal, is a practitioner and educator of an Indian Martial art, Kalaripayattu since last 20 years and has completed his shiksha under Gurukkal Shri K.K. Vijayan, Calicut, Kerala and is well versed in all stages of both northern and southern distinctive styles.

Mr. Mathew is the recipient of the research fellowship by CCRT under Ministry of Culture, Govt of India and the member of Indian Council for cultural relations as a Reference Panel Artist.

He has taken Kalaripayattu at a global stage and led various events through his self choreographed demonstrations that include World Martial arts festival at Indonesia, International Indo-Japan martial arts meet in Delhi, International festival for Arts and Culture at Egypt, Festival of India at Beijing and many more. He also has a number of international collaborations of prominence to his name like, with Indian cultural centre at Seoul, South Korea. He has worked as a visiting faculty Professor - co curriculum with the prestigious university of Ashoka as his last assignment and has delivered various talks on Kalarippayattu of international importance like on an erudite platform of Sangam Talks.

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A graduate from the National School of Drama, New Delhi, Gyan Dev Singh is a light designer par excellence.

He has been invited to perform in festivals like The Edinburgh International Festival, The Bon Biennale, Prague Quadrennial, Korzo International Dans Festival, The Internationale Tanzmesse Festival, Dancing the Gods Festival, to name a few and eminent artists like Kumudini Lakhiya, Lushin Dubey, Ashley lobo, Apsara Arts-Singapore and Akram Khan Dance Company-London.

His skills in stage lighting design has taken him to various theatre and dance festivals in Europe, North America, South America Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Africa, China, Russia and the Middle East.

He has performed in venues like House of the people, China. Esplanade Theatres- Singapore, Nelum Pokuna theatre-Colombo. Susane Dalal Centre- Tel Aviv. Symphony Spaces-Broadway- New York. The Kennedy Centre- Washington DC, Sydney Opera House.

Gyandev Singh is the recipient of the prestigious Bismillah Khan Yuva Award by the Sangeet Natak Academy , awarded in Stage Lighting Design.

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A name to reckon with in the field of Performing Arts Administration, Arijeet Mukherjee has an experience of more than a decade working with various world renowned artists, festivals and arts connoisseurs including Ashley Lobo,Aditi Mangaldas, Farooq Chaudhry (Producer), Akram Khan; Swapnokalpa Dasgupta (Programming Director), NCPA, Mumbai; Emma Gladstone (Former CEO), Dance Umbrella London, Jayashree Acharya.

He toured internationally with the famous Kathak exponent Aditi Mangaldas handling her business management, programming, production, coordination and administration. He has worked with many International Festivals with Aditi, such as the Alchemy Festival, London; Dance Umbrella Festival, London; Perth International Arts Festival, Perth; Abu Dhabi Classics, Abu Dhabi; Kala Utsavam, Singapore; Bangkok International Festival of Music and Dance, Bangkok; Tbilisi International Festival of Theatre, Georgia; Sibiu International Theatre Festival, Romania, Le Monde Festival, Paris - to name a few!

Arijeet Mukherjee has coordinated and organised several renowned festivals for the NCZCC, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India including Octave 2020 and Atulya Bharat etc.
Currently, Arijeet is working as the Programme Coordinator for the National Institute of Kathak Dance, Kathak Kendra, New Delhi. He is also the Founder Trustee and Honorary Secretary of Artist Association of India a public charitable trust working in the field of Performing and Visual Arts.

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Dheerendra Tiwari is a firecracker, confident, strong and knowledgeable performing artist. He is one of the foremost disciples of Kathak maestro Rajendra Gangani.

His collaboration with great gurus and leading choreographers like Guru Aditi Mangaldas, Leela Samson, Saroja Vaidhyanathan and Kumudini Lakhia helped him make a mark in contemporary dance field too. He was a senior repertory member and rehearsal director for Drishtikon Dance Foundation - The Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company and also worked as a rehearsal director for Aakash Odedra Dance Company (UK).

He has given many remarkable solo and group performance in prestigious festivals in India and abroad including Darbar Festival (London), Sankatmochan Sangeet Samaroh (Varanasi), Khajuraho Festival (Khajuraho) , Edinburgh International Dance Festival (Scottland) and Oz Asia Dance Festival (Australia).

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A Hindustani SemiClassical vocalist and a leading exponent of the Banaras Gharana, Shweta Dubey is the disciple of Thumri Vocalist Vidushi Savita Devi (Banaras Gharana) in and Pt. Bholanath Mishra of Banaras Gharana. Graduate from Banaras Hindu University with Music honors and Post Graduate in Ancient History, she is an empanelled artist in All India Radio Delhi.

Her expertise in performing both classical and Semiclassical music genres like thumri, Dadra, chaiti, kajri, barahmasa and bhajans has got her many awards and accolades including Pt. Gama Maharaj Sangeet Samaroh 'Sangeet Rantna', Shivadi Classical Center of Art and Music 'Naari Sadhika Samman , Baba Allauddin Khan Smriti Samman, Sur Sadhika Samman and Aradhya Samman from Goonje Tarana Indian Classical Star of India.

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Raj Kumar Sharma is a name to reckon with in the field of Chhau and Contemporary dance both as a performer as well as a choreographer. His choreographies and performances reflect his extensive training under the leading gurus of Chhau, Kalari,Contemporary,Rope Malkham, Pole Malkham and Indian Folk. Apart from playing the titular roles in the ballets of Shri Ram Bharatiya Kala Kendra including RAM and KRISHNA, he has choreographed many of their productions too.

As a versatile, energetic performer, Raj Kumar has created a niche for himself and is a regular across several national and international dance festivals. His choreographic quest has helped him explore plural areas of creativity, from traditional to contemporary and that also reflects in the work of his students.

Student Testimonials