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Iti Nritya Finalists
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Lakshman Vinayak (Bharatnatyam)
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Dhanashree Joglekar (Kathak)
About Iti Nritya
Lord Brahma says: I give you the fifth veda Nāțyashāstra – replete with śāstra (knowledge/ text), śilpa (art/ craft) and itihāhsa (legends, stories, myths).
There is nothing that is not found in nātya, it is the imitation of life and its learnings.
Valley of words is beginning with a new vertical Iti Nritya. It will be a platform for upcoming dancers of all Indian classical dance forms to showcase their performances on our stage.
Why we do it
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To encourage young upcoming dancers
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To spread awareness about our rich intangible art form – dance
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To create an informed audience
How we do it
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Giving and opening to young dancers to apply
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By selecting three artistes from all over the country to perform on our stage
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Creating an archive of the presentations for everyone to view
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Invitation
Dear Ma’am / Sir,
Greetings from Valley of Words: International Literature and Arts Festival.
Over the past nine editions, Valley of Words has grown into a vibrant confluence of ideas, stories, and artistic traditions, celebrating the richness and diversity of India’s cultural landscape. As we step into our milestone 10th edition, we are delighted to announce the opening of Iti Nritya 2026, our classical dance initiative dedicated to nurturing young Indian classical dancers.
Iti Nritya was conceived as a platform to identify, encourage, and showcase emerging talent in Indian classical dance. Open to dancers between 18 and 25 years, the competition embraces a wide spectrum of classical forms, including Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, Kathakali, Odissi, Sattriya, and Chau. Since its inception in 2022, Iti Nritya has earned recognition as a prestigious national platform, bringing together exceptional dancers from across the country.
Glimpses from Previous Editions
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2022
Nirmuktha Arun (Mohiniattam, Palakkad)
Isha Nanal (Kathak, Pune)
Vikiraj Kadale (Bharatanatyam, Pune)
Prashita Surana (Kuchipudi, Ahmedabad)
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2023
Srijaini Ghose (Mohiniattam, Kolkata)
Shubhatraye Satwe (Kathak, Pune)
Venu Ayachit (Kuchipudi, Ahmedabad)
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2024
Sandip Kundu (Kuchipudi, Kolkata)
Kirti Kurande (Kathak, Pune)
Ratri Manik (Manipuri, West Medinipur)
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2025
Dhanashree Joglekar (Kathak, Pune)
Lakshman Kapoor Vinayak (Bharatanatyam, Delhi)
Recordings of these performances are available on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@ValleyofWords (search Iti Nritya).
Invitation to Participate: Iti Nritya 2026
Call for Nominations
The 10th edition of the Valley of Words: International Literature and Arts Festival will be held on 28th and 29th November 2026 in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. We cordially invite your esteemed institution to nominate talented classical dancers for Iti Nritya 2026. Selected artistes will have the honour of performing during the festival’s plenary sessions, providing them a distinguished national platform. These performances will also be live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook, offering wide national and global visibility.
Before submitting entries, we request you to kindly review the detailed competition guidelines available on our website to ensure full compliance.
Important Dates
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Entries Close: 30th September 2026
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Finalists Announcement: 10th October 2026
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Live Performances: 28th & 29th November 2026
All queries and submissions should be addressed strictly via email at:📧 itinritya@valleyofwords.org
Further details, competition rules, and updates are available on our website: https://www.valleyofwords.org/iti-nritya
For your convenience, a copy of the competition rules is enclosed as an attachment.
We look forward to your participation and to celebrating the timeless grace, discipline, and expressive power of Indian classical dance through Iti Nritya 2026.
Warm regards,
Shalini Rao
Convener, Iti Nritya
Member, Board of Governors, VOW
Valley of Words: International Literature and Arts Festival
Concert Rules
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There is NO ENTRY FEE for participation in the competition
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It is a solo dance competition
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Ministry of Culture (Govt. of India) recognized dance forms are eligible for this competition – Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniattam, Odissi, Sattriya, Chau
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Age group: 18 to 28
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A video of a full item/piece (not less than 5 minutes) either performed on stage or performed during practice is necessary to get qualified. The piece should include both abhinaya and nritta. You may upload a link on YouTube or google drive and send the clip to us. The video has to be current or taken in the past 3 months.
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Last date of submission of the links is September 30th 2026
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CV of the artiste along with proof of age should be submitted along with the video link (copy of Aadhaar card/ school leaving certificate)
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Selected artistes will get a chance to perform at the festival to be held in Dehradun or associated venues.
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Valley of Words will cover the travel and accommodation expenses for shortlisted artistes only, ensuring their journey to and from the festival, along with a certificate of appreciation.
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Pre-recorded music must be used for the performance
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The entries will be evaluated on the basis of abhinaya, technique, creativity and performance
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Our selection panel reserves the right to disqualify entries
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The selection by the judges will be final and binding and no correspondence regarding the judgement shall be entertained.
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When choosing the shortlisted artiste, the judges will select the entries which in their combined wisdom are the best in terms of set standards followed globally. Ethical practices will be strictly adhered to from the moment the entries are received
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The artiste needs to provide the travel documents (flight/ train tickets) for reimbursement after their arrival at the festival venue
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The reimbursement shall be done on the site and not in advance
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The selected artiste will be entitled to a room for two and may have someone accompany them, but Vow will not entertain the travel claims of the accompanying person
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All the details should be mailed to itinritya@valleyofwords.org latest by 30th September 2026
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Any entries received after the above stated timeline will be deemed to not be submitted.
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It is clarified that proof of posting a submission is not proof of receipt by the VoW Foundation Trust. The Trust will not accept any responsibility for submissions that are delayed or misdirected prior to receipt.
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Iti Nritya 2026 is a physical event. The Short-Listed Entrants will only be eligible if they attend the VoW 2026 physically
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However, VoW has the discretion to modify the event to a virtual/online format based on the prevailing circumstances. In case the event is modified to a virtual/online format, the Shortlisted Entrants will be informed expeditiously
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