Navdhara India Dance Theater has been instrumental in shaping my journey as a dancer and artist. Under the guidance of Artistic Director Mr. Ashley Lobo, I discovered my passion for contemporary dance and found my voice within this vibrant community. As one of the founding members since 2015, I had the incredible opportunity to help create three significant repertoire pieces: "AMAARA - A Journey of Love," which was my first solo performance, as well as "AGNI" and "A Passage to Bollywood." Each of these pieces, lasting 60 to 65 minutes, has pushed me physically and mentally, challenging me to grow as a performer. Since their debut, we have taken these works to stages both nationally and internationally, and I feel fortunate to have been part of these memorable performances and tours until February 2020. This experience has not only honed my skills as a dancer but has also deepened my love for the art, motivating me to continue exploring and sharing my passion for dance with others.

"Amaara - A Journey of Love" marked a significant milestone as the company's first evening-length repertoire piece. The creation process spanned six months and involved the dedication of 16 dancers working tirelessly to bring this vision to life. As Ashley Lobo beautifully describes, "In one magical hour, Amaara takes the audience into the world of experiencing the body and mind as they fuse their way to nothingness—a love story that just is and always was." This ambitious work required us to delve deep into our own identities while embracing the innovative Prana Paint(TM) technique developed by Ashley Lobo. The journey was both challenging and transformative, pushing us to connect with ourselves and each other on a profound level. The result was an experience that resonated deeply with viewers, inviting them to feel rather than merely observe. Through our passion and commitment, we turned what could have been an overwhelming endeavor into an inspiring celebration of love and oneness, showcasing the power of dance to transcend boundaries and create meaningful connections.

"AGNI," which translates to "fire," was a profound repertoire piece created over the course of five months, bringing together the talents of ten dedicated dancers. This work embodies the duality of fire—its capacity for both destruction and creation. As we embraced the intense physical and metaphysical demands of the piece, we learned that true transformation often requires us to confront and dismantle our existing selves. Ashley Lobo eloquently captures the essence of "AGNI" when he states, “Agni is the Vedic god of fire. It symbolizes light and darkness, destruction and purification, beginnings and endings, sacrifice and knowledge.”

This duality reflects the journey we embarked upon as dancers, where we harnessed the power of fire to ignite our passions and inspire change within ourselves and our audience. Through the rigorous exploration of movement, we discovered that fire is not merely a force of destruction, but a powerful agent for renewal. It challenges us to let go of what no longer serves us, making way for new growth and understanding. This 60-minute piece became a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the beauty that emerges from embracing both light and darkness. "AGNI" encourages us to see how our experiences can transform us, motivating us to pursue our passions and grow together through the art of dance.

"A Passage to Bollywood" was my second venture into Bollywood musical theater, and it became an integral part of my journey as a dancer and performer. Ashley Lobo beautifully captures the essence of live performance when he says, “I have always loved the stage. It was where I started. Theatre is live, it’s magical—it’s all happening in the moment. There are no retakes. Becoming one with the audience and connecting to them is a different high for both performers and those behind the scenes like me. Though I have done a lot of films, my real love was, is, and will always be, live performance whether it’s abstract, contemporary dance theatre, musical theatre, or a Bollywood stage show.” The storyline of "A Passage to Bollywood" follows a young village boy's dream journey to Mumbai, set against a vibrant musical backdrop filled with love, friendship, and unexpected twists. This classic Bollywood saga captures his adventures in the city, particularly highlighting his deepening relationship with the woman of his dreams. Taking on this 65-minute piece was both a challenge and a joy. I immersed myself in learning the language and the Hindi songs, which allowed me to build a rich character and explore the colorful meanings behind the 16 songs. Touring to almost nine countries was an incredible experience, and as my time with Navdhara came to a close, I had the unique opportunity to work on the costumes for the soloists and dancers while also serving as the dance captain during my final shows. This blend of creativity and leadership made my journey through "A Passage to Bollywood" not just fun, but also an unforgettable chapter in my artistic life.

Throughout my journey, I had the pleasure of participating in several collaborative and dynamic pieces that truly enriched my experience as a dancer. One standout was the company repertoire piece "The Sound of Silence," along with "The Loop," which featured all of our dancers, including a few apprentices. These pieces allowed us to come together as a cohesive unit, exploring movement and expression in a shared creative space. I also had the wonderful opportunity to perform a duet titled "Two-gether" with Chetan Solanki, a talented main company dancer, under the choreography of Ashley Lobo. This collaboration was particularly special, as it allowed us to connect deeply through our movements, showcasing the beauty of partnership in dance.

Another highlight was being selected as one of the dancers for "The Crossing," an Indo-Polish Contemporary Dance Collaboration. This exciting project brought together the Warsaw-based Zawirowania Dance Theatre and our own Navdhara India Dance Theatre. The creation process unfolded over two weeks in both Poland and Mumbai, where we worked closely with choreographers Ashley Lobo, Karolina Kroczak, and Elwira Piorun. The experience culminated in performances in Poland and a final show in Mumbai, allowing us to share our artistic journey with diverse audiences while celebrating the fusion of different cultures through dance. Each of these experiences reinforced the importance of collaboration in the arts and the joy of creating together.

Performing and collaborating while traveling to ten countries with a company of 10-15 dancers broadened my perspective and deepened my vision of dance. This journey taught me that there is so much more to dance than just movement. I learned that connection and disconnection go hand in hand; sometimes, stepping away is essential to truly reconnect. This balance is vital for growth, both as an artist and as a person.