Utsav 2025: A Celebration of Legacy and Innovation
5 – 6 July 2025
This year’s Utsav is more than a showcase – it’s a celebration of Pagrav Dance Company’s 20th anniversary and a powerful reflection of its legacy, vision, and evolving community.
Day One – 5 July
Day One of Utsav continues the much-loved tradition of spotlighting the talents of Pagrav Dance Company’s students, aged four and up. From beginners to our accomplished youth company, dancers will perform specially choreographed solos, duets, and ensemble pieces that explore both the nritta and nritya strands of the Kathak repertoire.
A highlight of this year’s performance is the presence of a live musical ensemble accompanying all pieces – an immersive experience that adds richness and depth to each moment on stage.
Expect energy, elegance, and a vibrant celebration of learning, creativity, and community.
Day Two – 6 July
Day Two marks a unique and historic occasion for Pagrav Dance Company. Curated especially for the company’s 20th anniversary, this event offers a blend of innovation and reflection – featuring revived works from the company’s archive and deeply personal performances that celebrate lineage and legacy. This is the first time Utsav will include choreography by a teenage student – an exciting milestone that signals a new chapter in the world of Indian classical dance. The event will also feature performances by parent-child duos, illustrating the generational connections nurtured within Pagrav Dance Company over two decades.
A programme rooted in artistic excellence and openness, Day Two is a tribute to everything Pagrav Dance Company stands for: tradition, evolution, and community. Join us as we honour 20 years of tradition, creativity, and togetherness through the art of Kathak.
Utsav 2025 is not just a performance – it’s a reflection of what has been and a glimpse of what’s still to come.
CAST AND CREATIVES
Choreography and performance: Urja Desai Thakore
Writer/dramaturge: Karthika Naïr
Music/soundscape: Alap Desai featuring Abha Desai, Urja Desai Thakore, Mahika Thakore, and Geeta Sridhar
Musicians: Gurdain Singh, Kaviraj Singh, Prathap Ramachandra, Vijay Venkat
Set and lighting design: Willy Cessa
Costume design: Sandhya Raman
Assistant choreographer/rehearsal director: Mira Salat
Production manager: Mat Ort
Sound engineer: Camilo Tirado
Executive Producer: Lia Prentak
