Jul 16 2025 to Jul 16 2025 7 p.m.

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

Presented by Chinmayi Nrithyalaya and directed by Guru Sridevi Chalagalla Mungara, Chandalika is a Kuchipudi interpretation of Rabindranath Tagore’s poignant dance drama. The work traces the emotional and spiritual journey of a young woman marked by caste, and the internal revolution sparked by a single act of compassion.

At its heart, Chandalika is a meditation on identity, longing, and liberation. The narrative unfolds through Kuchipudi’s deeply expressive vocabulary, drawing on graceful movement, rhythmic command, and layered abhinaya to illuminate the character’s awakening from inherited exclusion to personal agency.

Performed in Telugu with English framing, the ballet invites all audiences into a world where social realities and inner transformation meet. It is a classical work, yet quietly radical, reimagining traditional form as a lens for reflection on dignity, desire, and the human condition.

Presented by:

Artists

Chinmayi Mungara
Kuchipudi Artist
A second-generation artist and the Artistic Director of Chinmayi Nrithyalaya, Chinmayi represents a new generation of performers who approach classical dance as both heritage and dialogue. Trained by her mother and grand guru Padma Shri Dr. Sobha Naidu, Chinmayi’s performances are known for their elegance, depth, and narrative strength.

She has performed at TEDx, where she spoke on how classical dance cultivates leadership, empathy, and identity. Her work has also been featured on global stages including the UN Biodiversity Conference, UNICEF International Children’s Film Festival, and at leading universities across India and the United States. She has conducted lecture demonstrations under the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) and has mentored over 150 students across continents.

Chinmayi has been recognized with several awards, including the ‘Natya Manjari’ title and the Padma Shri Dr. Sobha Naidu Yuva Puraskar, honoring her contributions to Kuchipudi and her growing influence as a cultural ambassador of Indian classical arts.

Her work is characterized by clarity of form, emotional authenticity, and a deep commitment to keeping classical art relevant to modern life. Whether on stage or in classrooms, Chinmayi blends artistic excellence with social reflection, seeking to build cultural bridges across generations and geographies.

Sridevi Chalagalla Mungara
Director
Smt. Sridevi is one of the senior-most disciples of Padma Shri Dr. Sobha Naidu and has dedicated her life to the art of Kuchipudi for over three decades. With hundreds of performances across India and abroad, she has appeared on prestigious platforms including Doordarshan, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, and numerous national cultural festivals. Her acclaimed portrayals of Lord Krishna, Lord Venkateshwara, and Mother Sita in landmark ballets such as Kalyana Sreenivasam, Sri Krishna Parijatham, and Jagadananda Karaka reflect her command over both nritta and abhinaya.

A recipient of the National Talent Search Scholarship throughout her formative years, she holds a Master’s degree in Performing Arts from Central University, Hyderabad, with a specialization in Kuchipudi. As a teacher, her influence is both wide and deep. Over the past twenty years, she has trained hundreds of students with a method that blends technical discipline, expressive clarity, and philosophical insight. Her approach fosters not only artistic excellence but also emotional maturity and cultural rootedness.