Arnav
Ajana
DanceScreen & ProductionResearch & WritingAdvocacy
Trained in Mayurbhanj Chhau, Kalaripayattu and jazz-funk — and just as often the one calling the cues from the wing rather than standing in the light.
Now
- Building PreserveChhau, an interactive eBook on Mayurbhanj Chhau
- Chairing DPS International's CAS Summit & Techathlon 2026 — 18 Aug
- Preparing for the TAAF Festival of Choreographies at Kamani Auditorium — 19 Aug
Phrase I
Dance
Tribal and semi-classical vocabulary, Street Jazz, and a running exploration of Mayurbhanj Chhau — marked here in the order it happened, not sorted by prize.
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2024 – present
The Danceworx, Scholar
Selected for the Professional Dance Certification Programme — the first male student from his school in the programme.
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Jun 2025
Nessebar, Bulgaria ↗
XXIII International Children's Festival — First Prize, Folk Dance, and the Mayor's Special Prize for Most Attractive Choreography, as one of a 17-member ensemble representing India.
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Oct 2025
Udbhav Utsav, Gwalior
20th World Dance Festival — First Prize, Semi-Classical Solo, and First Prize as part of the Tribal Dance Group.
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2025 – 2026
Finding Shiva ↗
A solo work built through Kalari, Kathakali and Mayurbhanj Chhau, tracing Shiva, Shakti and Ardhanarishvara. Choreography by Vaishak Raj; dramaturgy by Aamrapali Bhandari.
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2026
Weeping RED! — rehearsal observer
Invited to observe a rehearsal of Aditi Mangaldas's developing full-length work at OddBird Theatre, New Delhi.
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Multiple editions
Kaafila & DPSI Inter-House
First Prize solo and group wins across Kaafila (Shiv Nadar School Noida) and DPS International's World Dance Day competitions, leading Lincoln House to two group titles.
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19 Aug 2026
TAAF Festival of Choreographies ↗
Scheduled performer, Season 2, Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi. Forthcoming.
Phrase II
Screen & Production
On camera for brands and broadcast — and, just as often, behind the desk running lights, sound and projection for other people's shows.
On screen
- Breathe: Into the Shadows, S2 ↗ Amazon Prime Video — "Victor's Brother," episodes 3 & 8
- Jatti Nu Ghuma De ↗ Lead talent, official music video
- Rocket Boys · Game of Sexes Additional screen work
- Max, Myntra, Axis Bank, MakeMyTrip, Canon, ITC, Reliance Selected campaign and commercial work — full portfolio ↗
Running the desk
- Udbhav Utsav 2025 Composed and edited competition music for nearly the full DPS International delegation, including his own solo
- IB Global Conference, Mumbai Designed the abstract background film and edited performance audio for a non-standard wide screen ratio
- Insaniyat, Delhi — 29 Aug 2024 ↗ Light-and-sound operator for the full evening, cueing Aditi Mangaldas & Drishtikon and other soloists, while a peer ran his own duet's cues
Phrase III
Research & Writing
Performance, followed back to its sources.
PreserveChhau · 2026, working project
The Science of Chhau Dance ↗
An interactive study of Mayurbhanj Chhau within its wider Mayurbhanj, Seraikella and Purulia traditions, for readers aged 8 to 14. Concept, research and creative direction his own; manuscript and technical build AI-assisted under his direction.
Narthaki · Published 10 Jan 2026
Finding Shiva: A Process of Rebuilding My Own Truth ↗
An essay written alongside the solo work of the same name, tracing Shiva, Shakti and Ardhanarishvara through Kalari, Kathakali and Mayurbhanj Chhau.
Research draft · 2026
Shiva Nataraja: The Cosmic Dance
How Chola-period imagery encodes cyclical time and liberation — built from museum and academic sourcing with OPVL evaluation.
Phrase IV
Advocacy
Performance pointed outward — toward young people who don't yet have a stage of their own.
The Spectrum Project
A youth-led initiative connecting performance art and cultural programming to the social-emotional wellbeing of LGBTQ+ teenagers.
Project Dwipada
Expanding access to dance training for underserved children, alongside responsible content-creation and monetisation skills.
Insaniyat, Delhi ↗
Performed a movement duet retelling Orpheus & Eurydice, then ran lighting and sound for the full evening — including Aditi Mangaldas and the Drishtikon ensemble.
USD 12,400+ raised · attended by the Palestinian Ambassador to India · covered by The Wire
WeCare Foundation
Volunteer dance teacher, mentoring younger students weekly.
Coda
Available for performance, production and collaboration.
Based in Gurugram, India — and willing to travel for the right stage.
Noted — thank you. He'll get back to you shortly.
Curriculum vitae, staged — concept draft Updated 11 Aug 2026