Symphony Orchestra of India and Aditi Mangaldas to Premiere 'The Absence of PRESENCE'

The Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) and acclaimed Kathak dancer and choreographer Aditi Mangaldas will join forces for The Absence of PRESENCE, a new interdisciplinary production commissioned by the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai. Combining live symphonic music, contemporary dance rooted in Kathak, poetry and visual art, the work will receive its world premiere at the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre on 31 October and 1 November 2026.

Produced by the Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company and The Drishtikon Dance Foundation, the approximately 75-minute production explores the suffering of children caught in conflict, the silence that surrounds violence and the possibility of finding compassion and hope in the face of human cruelty. Its subject extends beyond any single conflict, asking audiences to consider their own responses to suffering and the consequences of choosing not to look.

At the centre of the production is an original score by Indian-origin British composer and multidisciplinary artist Rushil Ranjan. Drawing on Hindustani and Western classical traditions, the music brings the symphonic resources of the SOI into dialogue with the movement vocabulary of Mangaldas. Musicians Faraz Ahmed and Ashish Gangani, whose musical heritage spans several generations of Indian classical performers, contribute another dimension to the work's musical language.

Sculptor Manish Kansara also contributes to the production's visual conception, with poetry forming an integral part of its artistic framework. Together, these elements create a collaborative work in which music, movement and visual expression respond to a shared subject.

Khushroo N. Suntook, Chairman of the NCPA and Co-Founder of the SOI, describes the production as an important development in the orchestra's artistic ambitions. “With The Absence of PRESENCE, it takes an important step forward, from interpreting existing repertoire to creating something original and contributing a new work to the world,” he said.

Suntook emphasised that the orchestra's role extends beyond accompanying the dance ensemble. “It is not simply a dance production, nor merely a symphonic performance; it is a work of art that speaks to the world we live in today, a world capable of both compassion and cruelty.”

The collaboration follows the SOI's two decades of interpreting the symphonic repertoire and reflects the NCPA's interest in developing original productions through encounters between different artistic traditions. Suntook also recalled the orchestra's collaborations with the late tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, noting that the next step was to develop new creative possibilities instead of repeating previous achievements.

For Mangaldas, the work began with questions about collective responsibility and the human response to violence. “Why would the world remain silent? What does our silence in the face of such brutality say about us? And where do we go from here?” she asked.

These questions have shaped a production that places children at its emotional centre, acknowledging their vulnerability and suffering alongside their capacity for resilience. Mangaldas hopes the work will encourage reflection without leaving audiences in despair. “Dance, music, poetry and visual art come together here because each speaks in a different way, and together they can perhaps create a space for reflection, empathy and hope.”

The production also marks a new creative experience for the choreographer, whose work bridges classical Kathak and contemporary movement. “Working with the Symphony Orchestra of India and Rushil Ranjan has opened up an entirely new creative vocabulary for me, allowing Kathak and contemporary movement to encounter the immense possibilities of symphonic music,” she said.

For the NCPA, the commission strengthens its role as a platform for artistic creation alongside its established programme of concerts, dance, theatre and other performing arts. The production is also being developed with the possibility of touring, potentially bringing this collaboration between Indian dance and symphonic music to international festivals and audiences.

Performance Details

The Absence of PRESENCE will be performed on Saturday, 31 October and Sunday, 1 November 2026, at 6 pm at the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai.

Commissioned by: National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA)

Produced by: Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company and The Drishtikon Dance Foundation

Creative team: Aditi Mangaldas, Rushil Ranjan, Manish Kansara, Ryan Stafford, Morag Deyes, Urvashi Kaur, Deepak Kurki Shivaswamy and Gaurav Bhatti

Music conducted by: Melvin Tay

Performed by: Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company and Symphony Orchestra of India

Tickets are available through BookMyShow and the NCPA Box Office.