On a mild Friday evening, Bailey Road’s Girls’ Guide Auditorium slowly filled with warm light and warmer anticipation. The stage glowed in soft amber tones while the audience sat in dim, cinematic darkness; almost like a quiet promise that something intimate, something evolving, was about to unfold.
This year’s ‘Navapallava 2’, presented by the Arthy Ahmed Dance Academy, was not just a Bharatanatyam showcase. It felt like watching dozens of new leaves unfurl in real time: adult beginners, young dancers, working professionals, mothers, engineers and doctors, all stepping onto the stage to reclaim a dream that life once paused.
Framing the intention behind the production, the founder of the academy, Arthy Ahmed, told Times of Bangladesh, “A new leaf carries possibilities. That is what this show celebrates.”
“Our production is called Navapallava, ‘a new leaf’. For those learning dance for the first time as adults, it’s like a new leaf growing. A new leaf holds many possibilities and so do they.”
She explained that Bharatanatyam takes years to master, but performing on stage is just as important as refining the technique. “They won’t reach perfection immediately. But performance helps them mature. Even if there are mistakes, we step onto the stage with courage. One day our productions will be perfect.”
Two shows, one at 6:00 pm and another at 8:00 pm, brought together a genuinely joyful crowd. Families, friends and colleagues filled the hall, erupting into cheers whenever someone they loved stepped into the spotlight.
Later, during the final segment, where each performer introduced themselves and their profession, the auditorium felt less like a performance venue and more like a proud family gathering: loud, emotional and unbelievably heart-warming.
“Bharatanatyam is difficult. But Arthy gives us courage,” said Moon, a dancer and audience member who performed for the first time. “We are not professionals. We’re learning, and Bharatanatyam is not easy; but Arthy gives us courage. That courage empowers us.”
Haimanti, one of the performers, was still breathless when we spoke. “I had no dance experience as a child. I’ve been learning for just a year. This is such an exhilarating feeling for me. I never imagined I would perform on stage. The audience was brilliant.”
Among the audience was Paromita, who admitted she now wants to learn to dance. “I loved the show, especially seeing people from so many professions dancing together. No matter how busy they are, they still make time for their passion. It’s inspiring,” she said.
Amit, another audience member experiencing classical Indian dance for the first time, added, “It was my first time seeing Bharatanatyam and it was an amazing experience. One of my friends performed on stage and I felt so proud seeing him dance.”
“We worked so hard. We are all different, but we love dancing,” said Anuradha, another performer, highlighting the diversity within the troupe.
“The experience was great. We practised a lot, worked very hard. Our group is very diverse. Some learn quickly, some take time, but we all love dancing. Even though it’s difficult, we made it work. People come from different professions, but we become like a family,” she added.
In a city where people rarely pause, here was a room full of adults rediscovering the childlike thrill of chasing their passion.
This year, the academy presented nine segments, attempting a full Bharatanatyam Margam, from Pushpanjali all the way to Tillana. Among these, Varnam, one of the most challenging pieces, was a particularly proud moment for Arthy.
Arthy further detailed about her mission regarding her dance troupe, “I always wanted to do something beyond our regular nine-to-five lives. Many people never had the chance to learn dance as children. So I started working with adult beginners three years ago. We worked very hard to reach this point. My dream is that dance spreads across Bangladesh with joy.”
As the final bows were taken and the lights softened, the performers stood tall, each glowing like a fresh new leaf. Navapallava 2 stood as a gentle reminder that in a busy city that rarely slows down, it is never too late to begin.
