New York City, July 2025 — In a moment of cultural pride, NachNation, a Princeton-based Bollywood fusion dance school, made a notable appearance at Carnegie Hall as part of the All Indian Dance Festival 2025. The group performed on the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage, one of the most prestigious venues in the world.
The program featured a high-energy folk-dance piece inspired by the traditions of central India. Through expressive choreography, the performance told the story of a young girl’s journey to reconnect with her heritage — a theme that resonated strongly with the audience.
Twenty-nine dancers, dressed in traditional nine-yard sarees and complementary drapes, performed a dynamic blend of Lavani, Lezim-Zanj, and Gondhal dance styles. The choreography emphasized rhythmic footwork, vibrant formations, and narrative storytelling. The piece was conceived and directed by Uma Karmarkar Kapoor, NachNation’s founder and artistic director, with choreography assistance from Kavya Kapoor and Mitali Tamhane.
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The audience responded with sustained applause, recognizing both the cultural authenticity and artistic impact of the performance.
Uma Karmarkar Kapoor is an award-winning choreographer and educator known for her work in dance drama and cultural storytelling. She founded NachNation to provide dancers of all ages an opportunity to engage with Indian heritage through performance.
The evening marked a significant milestone for the dance school and highlighted the growing presence of South Asian performing arts on international stages.