Choreographed by Aditi Mangaldas, with music composed by British composer Rushil Ranjan, Associate Artist of the Royal Albert Hall, London, this heart-wrenching production journeys into the depths of conflict, while revealing the human spirit persisting against all odds, striving towards hope, and creating worlds of fantasy and beauty.

The Absence of PRESENCE, featuring an international array of collaborators, exceptional Kathak dancers, and musicians from both Hindustani and Western musical traditions, moves through loss, memory, and grief towards the human instinct to imagine, endure, and live.

It is a story of absence. Of what is lost. Of what still lingers.

Creative Team

Concept & Choreography: ADITI MANGALDAS
Music Composer: RUSHIL RANJAN
Set Design: MANISH KANSARA
Light Design: RYAN STAFFORD
Mentor: MORAG DEYES
Music Conductor: MELVIN TAY
Creative Development: DEEPAK KURKI SHIVASWAMY
Costume Design: URVASHI KAUR
Technical Director: CHRISTOPHER FLUX
Rehearsal Director: GAURAV BHATTI
Western Classical Musicians: SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF INDIA
Indian Classical Musicians: FARAZ AHMED (Vocals), ASHISH GANGANI (Pakhawaj) & YASH GANGANI (Tabla)

Danced By: ADITI MANGALDAS, ANINDITA ACHARJEE, AAMRAPALI BHANDARI, MANOJ SONAGRA, GAURAV BHATTI, DEEPANNITA SARKAR, GOURAV JAWDA, HARENDRA KUMAR BHUSHAN, GAURAV SHRIDHAR, PRAVEEN PRASAD, ASHMITA AICH, MOUMITA GHOSH AND SANSKRITI PATHAK.

Photo and Video Documentation: ADARSH PRATHAP

Commissioned by: National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA)

Produced by: Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company & The Drishtikon Dance Foundation

Tech Residency Host: NATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, Mumbai
R&D Host: ODDBIRD THEATRE, New Delhi