Practice is key to excelling any art form. At the new Lok Gatha series, Riyaz Pratibimba, where the audience will experience a heady mix of folk and classical dance performances, the main aim is to drive this point home. "There's a misconception that folk dances don't require rigorous training," said Swapnokalpa Dasgupta, head programming, Dance, NCPA, adding that just like classical dances, folk artistes too undergo rigorous rehearsals from a young age in order to achieve perfection. For the presentation this year, the Mayurbhanj Chhau Performing Unit from Balipatna, Orissa, will take the stage. Under the guidance of Kathak exponent Shama Bhate, who has extensively worked with chhau, the presentation will show stories of Shiva and Hanuman performed by the group in Chhau and Kathak.