November 1st - 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Indian Classical Dance for Beginners

This session is a gentle and welcoming introduction to Kuchipudi, designed for those new to dance. Participants will learn foundational elements such as basic steps,  hand gestures, and rhythmic patterns that underpin the form. The workshop will also open up how movement connects with storytelling and emotion, offering participants a glimpse into the expressive richness of Kuchipudi. The focus will be on creating an enjoyable, accessible space where everyone - regardless of prior experience - to discover the joy of rhythm, grace, and expression through dance.

Biography:

Payal Ramchandani is a Newcastle-based dancer, choreographer,  in the South Indian classical dance style of Kuchipudi. As the only Kuchipudi artist in the North East and one of the few working at this scale across the UK, Payal is a flag-bearer for the form, committed to ensuring its continued relevance in today’s world.
Her work merges tradition with contemporary thought, using Kuchipudi both as a language and a lens to engage with pressing social and emotional landscapes.

A recipient of multiple awards and commissions, Payal’s work has been performed across the UK and internationally. Her practice thrives on inquiry, each project begins with a question that invites movement, dialogue, and transformation. She collaborates widely across disciplines and cultures, nurturing connection and empathy through her choreography.
Her portfolio spans theatre stages, galleries, festivals, and digital platforms. Notable works include Just Enough Madness, The Forest Dream, Once in a Blue Moon, and Of Love and Lament. She has also collaborated on Ajayu Transitorio (Yuvel Soria), Grief Floats (Company of Others), and Myth Machine (Sahej Rahal).

She spends her time choreographing, collaborating, teaching, and researching, nurturing both the form and its future practitioners. At its core, her practice fosters empathy, encouraging audiences to see themselves in the work-where movement becomes a catalyst for reflection and resonance.

Video link:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SEIXmsL5DdWehBpPHr06IwG99C0cOwtk/view?usp=sharing

Photo credits: 

InShot...3673: Vipul Sangoi

IMG......_839: Simon Richardson

IMG...._239: Luke Waddington

DSC..9867: Sharad Sharma