UPASANA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

"Samarpan" is a Sanskrit word with many meanings, but two are particularly relevant in this context. The first is a presentation. A Samarpan is akin to a thesis or dissertation, where a soloist presents a curated repertoire of seven pieces over two hours, accompanied by live music. Each item is carefully selected and choreographed by the dancer’s guru, though advanced students may take on the challenge of crafting their own, guided by mentorship. This performance demands mastery in taal (rhythm), padhant (recitation of compositions), and abhinaya (expression), supported by years of study in history, mythology, and Hindustani classical music. The second meaning is surrender - a complete offering of oneself to the art. A Nritya Samarpan marks the culmination of rigorous training and personal transformation, where the dancer steps forward not just as a student, but as an artist, ready to fully embody the spirit of Kathak.