New Delhi, May 2025.
World University of Design’s School of Performing Arts inaugurated its annual International Performing Arts Conference, ANVESHANA 2025, at the iconic Triveni Kala Sangam in New Delhi. A landmark initiative in the field of Indian arts and academia, the conference opened with great enthusiasm, drawing a confluence of eminent scholars, artists, educators, and students from across the country.
This year, ANVESHANA focused on the theme “Indian Knowledge Systems and Performing Arts in a Global Context”, exploring how traditional Indian artistic frameworks can engage meaningfully with global perspectives. The theme set the tone for reflective and future-facing dialogues around cultural heritage, artistic innovation, and academic inquiry.
The inaugural session began with a welcome address by Vice Chancellor Dr. Sanjay Gupta, followed by insightful keynote speeches delivered by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi(Member Secretary, Executive and Academic Head (IGNCA), New Delhi) and Shri Prabhat Singh (Theatre and Traditional Arts Connoisseur/Eminent Journalist). Their addresses emphasized the timeless relevance of Indian Knowledge Systems and the urgent need to integrate contemporary innovations within traditional performance frameworks.
Reflecting on the significance of the conference, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Vice Chancellor of World University of Design, said, “ANVESHANA is not just a celebration of the arts but a commitment to reimagining education through culture, dialogue, and innovation. It is our effort to make the arts central to the national discourse on knowledge and identity.”
Convener of the conference Dr. Parul Purohit Vats, Dean of the School of Performing Arts, World University of Design, added “This conference brought together a wide range of artistic voices, creating a fertile ground for exchange and transformation. Anveshana is a reflection of our vision—to bridge the gap between tradition and the future, research and performance, the local and the global.”
The event also witnessed the formal release of the Anveshana 2025 Proceedings—an ISBN publication featuring scholarly contributions and performance articles from across the nation, setting the academic tone for the conference.
Adding to the grace of the occasion were the distinguished Guests of Honour—Odissi dancer Sharon Lowen, Kathak expert Pt. Rajendra Gangani, and Dhrupad musician Ustad F. Wasifuddin Dagar. Their presence added to the event’s importance and supported the idea of connecting traditional arts with today’s evolving practices.
During the two-day event, paper presentations explored topics ranging from ritual practices in traditional Indian dance, emotional intelligence in art pedagogy, Chhau as a classical-tribal interface, and the acoustic design of temple performance spaces, to the shifting dynamics of gender in Bharatanatyam. Workshops added a practical dimension, including Nikhil Bora’s reconstruction of Śuddha Tāṇḍava, Sramana Banerjee’s movement lab RASĀTMA, and a participatory keynote on Dance Movement Therapy by Tripura Kashyap.
Each evening came alive with performances that showcased the energy and creativity of Indian performing arts. Highlights included Navārcanā by Shimran Zaman, Nritya Samarpanam by Subbulakshmi, and Kathaknatyam by Tribhuwan and Rajni Maharaj’s team. Collaborative and experimental works like Kali, Transcultural Affections, I Am the Only Man, and Piya Tori Batiya offered bold, poetic expressions. The conference concluded on a high note with Khayal by Guru Malti Shyam’s troupe—a tribute to India’s living dance traditions.
With ANVESHANA 2025, World University of Design created a meaningful space for sharing ideas and creativity across generations and disciplines. It was a place where knowledge, art, and cultural heritage came together to shape a bright and inclusive future for the performing arts.
