The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) scored two highs this April for the denizens of Delhi – facilitating the showcase of European master Caravaggio’s famous 400-year-old canvas, ‘Ecstasy of Mary Magdalene’; and welcoming the internationally acclaimed and award-winning dance production ‘WITHIN’, conceptualized and choreographed by the renowned Aditi Mangaldas, to Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi on April 24th. Presented by repertory members of the Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company & the Drishtikon Dance Foundation, this evocative performance took the audiences on an introspective journey through movement, rhythm, and expression.
‘WITHIN’ premiered in Delhi in 2013 and has since toured globally, captivating audiences in Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, Russia, Georgia, Singapore, and Romania. Returning to Delhi after its last staging in 2018, the production is a powerful provocation to look inward—to confront our deepest, most complex emotions. The production explores the inner landscape of human experience, where contrasting forces such as humanity and brutality, masculinity and femininity, good and evil, intertwine to create a delicate balance. It challenges audiences to look beyond binaries and seek meaning in the spaces in between them.
Aditi Mangaldas Production WITHIN – Photo by Arijeet Mukherjee
Renowned for her pioneering work in pushing the boundaries of dance with her movement vocabulary of contemporary dance based on Kathak, Aditi Mangaldas’ choreography draws from various cultural registers, not just in form, but also in thought. Her work is inspired by philosophical musings of J. Krishnamurti, the mystic-poet Kabir, and Sufi poet Hazrat Shah Niaz. Her work highlights a strong sense of abstraction and immense emotional depth, balanced with technical mastery that is a testament to her training under legendary Kathak gurus, the late Shrimati Kumudini Lakhia and the late Pandit Birju Maharaj.
UNWRAPPED, the second part of the production WITHIN – Choreographed by Kathak dancer and choreographer Aditi Mangaldas. Photo by Innee Singh and Team
Structured in two compelling parts, the segments were separated by a 20-minute intermission, allowing audiences to absorb and reflect. ‘WITHIN’ offers a dual perspective on Kathak:
- Knotted (40 mins) – A contemporary dance interpretation rooted in Kathak
- Unwrapped (45 mins) – A return to the classical essence of Kathak
UNWRAPPED, the second part of the production WITHIN – By Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company & Drishtikon Dance Foundation- Photo by Innee Singh and Team
In line with Mangaldas’ creative prowess, ‘WITHIN’ is a powerful and thought-provoking experience that employs an extraordinary use of light, sound, and costume. The production oscillates between darkness and illumination—confronting themes of violence, ignorance, and turmoil while seeking solace in kindness, compassion, and humanity. ‘WITHIN’ compels you to question, to unravel, and to find a deeper connection with yourself and the world.
Aditi Mangaldas and members of the Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company & the Drishtikon Dance Foundation – Photo by Innee Singh and Team
Since establishing its Performance Art vertical two years ago, KNMA has created a dynamic platform for artists from diverse disciplines, fostering a space where movement, sound, and visuals converge to create compelling artistic experiences. ‘WITHIN’ aligns with this ethos that bridges classical Kathak and contemporary interpretations, reinforcing KNMA’s role as a catalyst for artistic innovation and dialogue.
Aditi Mangaldas Production WITHIN. Photo by Dinesh Khanna, Sangeeta Rana
Aditi Mangaldas said, “Kiran Nadar Museum of Art has extended their patronage to performing arts, opening up a huge gamut of opportunities for artists. I was a part of ‘Charishnu’, conceived and directed by Leela Samson Ji, which KNMA had presented as one of their first performing arts events. Two years hence, I am grateful to their programming team to present WITHIN, a work that coerces us to look within. As a dancer and choreographer based in Delhi, I am truly excited about KNMA’s much awaited upcoming standalone space of international caliber that promises to host a dynamic cultural ecosystem.”
Aditi Jaitly, Senior Curator Performing Art, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art commented, “At KNMA, we remain committed to fostering accessibility to world-class artistic experiences. WITHIN is an internationally celebrated production that exemplifies the intersection of tradition and innovation in contemporary performance. By presenting this work at an accessible price, we reaffirm our dedication to democratizing the arts, ensuring that transformative cultural engagements are available to a wider audience that inspire introspection and critical discourse.”
