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Vihāra

Living the Dance at Nrityagram

A residency for practice, pause, and possibility,
in its own rhythm.

A fully funded, month-long residency for dancers to step away from performance and remain with their work. Without deadlines. Without expectation. Only time. And the space to return.

A Space for Time

Uninterrupted, unmeasured time is rare.

In the life of a dancer, work gathers around rehearsals, timelines, and the quiet pressures of sustaining a life in dance. What recedes is time not asked to become anything.

Here, there is a pause.

A return — to the body, to listening, to attention, and to what begins to unfold over time.

Nothing to produce.
Nothing to resolve.
Only the work — held, repeated, allowed to change.

Why This is Vital

Artistic growth asks for time. For continuity. For the patience to remain with a question.

Across India, there are few spaces that support self-directed practice in Indian classical dance over sustained periods. In their absence, inquiry is often interrupted, just as it begins to deepen.

This residency arises from that need.

It offers an environment where time can unfold in its own rhythm, where attention can settle, and where work can continue, shift, or simply remain.

Time here is lived — inhabited, and shaped from within.

The Experience

Days move in a quiet rhythm — between movement, rest, reflection, and occasional exchange. The day takes shape as you enter it.

This might mean:

returning, again and again, to something essential
following an impulse, without needing to know where it leads
spending time in the studio, or away from it
reading, thinking, or sitting in stillness

Or simply arriving each day — and beginning again

Living at Nrityagram

Nrityagram is a place shaped by attention and continuity.

Life here moves in gentle cycles — shared meals, solitary hours, and conversations that arise without plan. There is space for solitude, and a quiet sense of being alongside others.

You are alone with your work, and at the same time held within a larger rhythm.

What Is Offered

The residency is fully funded and includes:

Accommodation at Kula: Residence for Artists
All meals
24/7 access to dance studios
Access to indoor and outdoor spaces, including the amphitheatre and yoga centre
Wi-Fi and basic administrative support

Residents are responsible only for:

Travel to and from Nrityagram
Personal expenses beyond the programme

At its core, what is offered is simple:
the conditions that allow work to continue, deepen, and unfold over time.

Who This Is For

This residency is open to classical Indian dancers with at least six years of training, across all forms. Individuals, duos, and small groups are welcome.

This is a self-directed residency. The structure is intentionally light, allowing each dancer’s work to unfold in its own way.

It asks for a particular kind of readiness — to work independently, to remain with one’s work, and to trust what may emerge over time.

Residency Details

First Residency Period: 1 August – 30 September
Duration: 4 weeks per participant

You may choose:

One continuous 4-week stay, or
Two blocks of 2 weeks within the residency period

Application Deadline: 24 May, 2026
Selection Announcement: 30 June, 2026

In its inaugural year, the residency will host 30 dancers, made possible with support from the Samagata Foundation.

Dance Commons

This residency is part of Dance Commons — an evolving initiative that reimagines the dancer’s journey as a shared one.

It opens the possibility for exchange, resource-sharing, and collective thinking, lightly held.

What begins here may be subtle.
It continues — in time, and in the work that follows.

FAQ

Is this a mentored or guided residency?

This is a self-directed residency. The structure is intentionally light, allowing each dancer to shape their time in their own way.

Is there any expectation to create or present work?

There is no requirement to produce, perform, or arrive at a particular outcome. You may choose to work, reflect, explore, or simply remain with your time here.

What does a typical day look like?

There is no fixed schedule. Days take shape in relation to how you choose to spend your time — through movement, rest, reflection, or other forms of engagement.

Who is this residency best suited for?

Dancers who are comfortable working independently and are interested in a process-led, self-directed experience.

What is meant by “fully funded”?

Accommodation, meals, studio access, shared spaces, and basic support are covered. You are responsible only for travel and personal expenses.

Can I apply with others?

Yes. Individuals, duos, and small groups are welcome.

Can I split my residency period?

Yes. You may attend either one continuous 4-week stay or two blocks of 2 weeks.

Will there be interaction with other residents?

Shared spaces often lead to informal exchanges. Participation in these moments is entirely up to you.

What facilities are available?

Studios (24/7), indoor and outdoor spaces, accommodation, meals, and Wi-Fi are available throughout your stay.

Is prior performance experience required?

What matters is your ongoing engagement with your work, rather than performance experience.

Can I teach or present work during the residency?

The residency is intended as a space for your own time and work. Teaching or presenting is not part of the residency framework.

How are participants selected?

Selections are made with attention to clarity of intent, the way you relate to your work, and your readiness for a self-directed experience.

Apply

Applications are open to classical Indian dancers with a minimum of six years of training.

Selection is made with attention to clarity of intent and readiness for a self-directed process.

Application Deadline: 24 May, 2026
Selected residents will be notified by: 30 June, 2026
For any inquiries please contact: programmes@nrityagram.org

Apply Now

If this feels like the right time, you are welcome.