Edition 1

Kadam Parikh is a promising young Kathak dancer carving a distinct space in Indian classical dance. A senior disciple of celebrated Kathak exponents Maulik and Ishira Parikh, he has been shaped by years of rigorous training and thoughtful mentorship. His performances carry both technical precision and an evolving personal expressiveness. Kadam brings a refreshing energy to the stage, balancing deep respect for tradition with a genuine curiosity about where Kathak can go next.

Navroz Contractor was a pioneering Indian cinematographer, photographer, director, writer and teacher — a true man of many parts. A graduate of FTII Pune, he trained internationally in the US and Japan and became a defining figure in India's New Wave cinema. He co-founded Yugantar, India's first feminist film collective, and made landmark documentaries exploring gender, caste and community. An accomplished still photographer, his work is housed in the Smithsonian and Tate Modern. He remained a passionate mentor until the very end.

Sanjeev Shah is a senior editor, producer and filmmaker whose work centres on social issue documentaries. His career in feature films includes editing the critically acclaimed Mirch Masala and directing the Gujarati film Hun, Hunshi Hunshilal. A graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, he views documentary filmmaking as a vital tool for capturing stories of displaced communities and the human cost of modernisation. His work spans both personal narratives and broader questions of cultural change.

Performer, choreographer, educator and curator, Sanjukta Wagh trained in Kathak under Rajashree Shirke and Hindustani Music under Pandit Murli Manohar Shukla. Her interdisciplinary work draws from theatre, contemporary dance and literature, resulting in productions celebrated nationally and abroad. Her dance theatre work Rage and Beyond: Irawati's Gandhari won two National Theatre Awards at META 2015. She holds an M.A. in English Literature and has been honoured with the Vinod Doshi Award, Aditya Birla Kala Kiran Puruskar and the British Council's Charles Wallace scholarship.

Sunil Shanbag is a Mumbai-based theatre director and producer who co-founded Theatre Arpana and Tamaasha Theatre, serving as their artistic director. Over 35 years, his work has examined the complexities of contemporary India through theatre across conventional and alternative spaces. His productions address pressing social issues including class, caste and gender. Beyond directing, he has led theatre education workshops for actors, directors and teachers at multiple levels. Sunil is also a distinguished documentary filmmaker recognised with national awards.

Vaibhav Arekar is a Kathak dancer whose practice blends deep classical training with a restless curiosity about movement and expression. A disciple of Guru Smt. Saroja Srinath, he trained at Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya and refined his Kathak under Smt. Rajashree Shirke. His theatre training under Shri Chetan Datar infuses his performances with a distinct dramatic quality. Vaibhav has performed at prestigious venues including Khajuraho, Kala Ghoda and Modhera festivals, and has toured extensively with the Nalanda troupe across India and internationally.

Walter D'Souza studied painting and printmaking at the Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S. University, Vadodara. Primarily known for his printmaking and woodcut work, he has collaborated with architects to explore new dimensions of design, including large woodblocks repurposed as relief sculpture. His practice also spans glass paintings, watercolours and sculpture. He has taught at the School of Architecture Ahmedabad, the National Institute of Fashion Technology Gandhinagar, and the National Institute of Design Ahmedabad. His prints have featured in shows nationally and internationally, including the International Print Triennale in Finland.