IPAC 2025: AMARA

Rooted in the rich tradition of bharatanatyam, Apsaras Dance Company reimagines this centuries-old classical art form to create performances that are meaningful and relevant in today’s world. Drawing deeply from Indian texts, mythology, and folklore, the Company’s productions explore universal themes with cross-cultural resonance. A signature of Apsaras Dance Company is its distinctive approach to bridging the shared cultural heritage of India and Southeast Asia, shaping evocative dance-theatre that connects with diverse audiences.

Apsaras Dance Company is the inaugural recipient of Singapore’s Stewards of Intangible Cultural Heritage Award, recognised for its excellence in preserving and evolving traditional arts. The Company is led by its Artistic Director, Aravinth Kumarasamy, a visionary cultural leader and recipient of Singapore’s Cultural Medallion, the country’s highest artistic honour.

Aravinth, Artistic Director of Apsaras Dance Company since 2005, left his corporate career in banking IT to pursue his passion for bharatanatyam. Under his leadership, Apsaras Dance Company transformed into a professional repertory dance company. After each successful production, he questions: what’s next? How can the bar be raised? How can a wider audience be reached while remaining true to their roots. These questions fuel his constant drive for innovation.

He blends traditional bharatanatyam with contemporary storytelling, weaves in Cambodian, Javanese, Balinese, and Sri Lankan dance forms, and addresses real-world current affairs head-on. He’s also redefined the role and purpose of the bharatanatyam ensemble.

Mohanapriyan Thavarajah is a celebrated bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer based in Singapore. Deeply rooted in tradition, his innovative approach breathes new life into the classical form by weaving contemporary narratives into its rich framework, bringing compelling relevance to modern, urban audiences.

Renowned for his refined and distinctive movement vocabulary, Priyan has received critical acclaim for choreographing groundbreaking productions and performing at prestigious festivals across the globe. As the Associate Creative Director of Apsaras Dance Company, he wears multiple hats—as a dancer, choreographer, research scholar, author, teacher, mentor, and costume designer—making him a dynamic and influential force in the world of Indian classical dance.