With a stalwart line-up that includes Birju Maharaj, Sadanam Balakrishnan, Aruna Mohanty and Shashadhar Acharya, the Mudra Dance Festival is easily one of the most anticipated dance festivals in the country. This year, in the attempt to demystify dance, the festival goes beyond performances and includes talks, demonstrations and film screenings. “It will provide a glimpse into the world of dance,” says Amrita Lahiri, head, dance programming, NCPA. The Guide handpicks three events from the month-long festival that dance enthusiasts are likely to enjoy:

Enter the world of Alarmel Valli
Audiences will get the opportunity to interact with the renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Alarmel Valli at the Mumbai premiere of the film, Lasya Kavya: The World of Alarmel Valli. The film, directed by Sankalp Meshram, showcases more than just Alarmel’s dance, including her thoughts and ideas on the art.“The film goes beyond being a film on Alarmel Valli to being a film on Bharatanatyam, dance at large and the relationship of dance with life,” says Meshram.