The Absence Of Presence

Content Advisory Themes of conflict and occasional flashing lights. Commissioned by the NCPA, ‘The Absence of PRESENCE’ is produced and presented by the Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company & The Drishtikon Dance Foundation in collaboration with the Symphony Orchestra of India. Childhood – interrupted. Silenced. Scattered across borders. Millions of children exist in the shadows of war - displaced, unseen, unheard. Wounded, orphaned, massacred. What remains when laughter fades? Choreographed by Aditi Mangaldas, with an exceptional ensemble of Kathak dancers and musicians, this powerful work journeys into the depth of conflict, yet shows the human spirit persisting against all odds and striving to hope, building worlds of fantasy and beauty. It is a story of absence. Of what is lost. Of what still lingers. Aditi Mangaldas is one of India’s leading Kathak dancers and choreographers, celebrated internationally for her powerful artistry, technical brilliance and innovative approach to dance. Trained under legendary gurus Kumudini Lakhia and Birju Maharaj, she seamlessly bridges classical Kathak and contemporary movement, creating path-breaking works that address both timeless and contemporary themes. Mangaldas has performed at major festivals across the world and is widely recognised for redefining Kathak for global audiences. She heads the Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company and The Drishtikon Dance Foundation. The Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI), based at the NCPA, is India’s first and only professional symphony orchestra. Founded in 2006 by NCPA Chairman Khushroo N. Suntook and violin virtuoso Marat Bisengaliev (Artistic Director), the SOI has collaborated with internationally acclaimed conductors and soloists. The orchestra has performed extensively across India and on international stages. Alongside its concert activities, the SOI is deeply committed to music education. Many of its musicians also serve as teachers, nurturing the next generation of classical musicians in India.