Put on your dancing shoes for PECDA

Contemporary dance is the new emerging form of expression that weaves its own language and grammar in India. In order to recognise the efforts in the field, the Prakriti Excellence in Contemporary Dance Awards (PECDA), a biannual competitive event was held for the first time in 2012. It was instituted as a platform for emerging contemporary dance forms, exposing artists to a wider audience. For this year’s edition, they have received around 45 entries out of which 22 have been shortlisted. 

The jury members for the 2016 contest include Claire Verlet (Deputy Artistic Director, Theatre de la Ville, Paris), Eddie Nixon (Director, Theatre and Artist Development, The Place UK), Frederic Mazelly (Program Director, La Villette, Paris), Elena Carmona (Director, Residency Space, Mercat de les Flors, Barcelona) and Arundhathi Subramaniam (Author, Poet, Journalist and Curator). The award includes a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, mentorship by an international dance group and an opportunity to perform at the Park’s New Festival. Last edition’s winner Surjit Nongemeikpam was mentored by Akram Khan Dance Company (UK) and will perform at the Park’s New Festival this year.