
The 49th Edition Of Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra's Iconic Dance Drama ‘KRISHNA' Returns This Janmashtami
Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra (SBKK), one of India's foremost institutions dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Indian classical performing arts, proudly presents the 49th edition of its iconic dance drama KRISHNA, from August 12 to 16, 2025, at Kamani Auditorium, Mandi House, New Delhi. Evening shows commence at 6:30 p.m. daily, with three additional matinee shows scheduled for August 14, 15, and 16, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
This richly layered production traces the enigmatic life of Lord Krishna from his divine birth to his transcendental departure interweaving mythology, music, and movement into a profound spiritual and artistic experience. The narrative delves into pivotal moments from his life: his early years in Gokul and Vrindavan, his bond with Radha, his role as a peacemaker between the Pandavas and Kauravas, and his philosophical guidance to Arjuna on the battlefield through the Bhagavad Gita.
'It is incredibly rewarding to see KRISHNA enter its 49th year," says Padma Shri Shobha Deepak Singh, the show's Director and Chairperson of Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra. 'The life of Lord Krishna is timeless not just as mythology, but as a guiding philosophy imbued with love, courage, and wisdom. At the Kendra, we strive to depict this journey with emotional depth and artistic authenticity, enabling audiences to resonate with its enduring and universal truths."
The production is presented by the Kendra Dance Repertory, a professional ensemble of dancers engaged full-time in the creation and presentation of the Kendra's dance dramas. KRISHNA has been choreographed by the eminent Shri Shashidharan Nair, supported by his prime disciple and star dancer Shri Raj Kumar Sharma, Repertory In-charge at SBKK. Both bring decades of experience in the Kendra's signature style of dance drama. This year, to enhance the vitality of the production, several talented young dancers have been inducted into the Repertory.
The Kendra Dance Repertory of Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra (an institution of the Bharatiya Kala Kendra Trust) is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and M/s Shriram Pistons & Rings Ltd, New Delhi.
SBKK's KRISHNA is a stunning blend of Indian classical and folk dance styles, enriched by beautifully designed costumes, traditional jewellery, symbolic animations, and a music score that fuses Indian classical music with regional melodies. Each scene is thoughtfully crafted to reflect Krishna's emotional, philosophical, and divine dimensions—offering audiences a rare opportunity to witness history, mythology, and folklore brought to life with artistic finesse.
In alignment with the Government of India's National Education Policy 2020, which promotes cultural learning through the arts, Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra invites schools and educational institutions to attend special morning performances of KRISHNA on August 12 and 13, 2025, at Kamani Auditorium. The sessions will include a 75-minute performance followed by a 45-minute interactive workshop exploring themes on Lord Krishna. Bulk bookings are also available to schools and educational institutions for the afternoon shows on August 14, 15, and 16, 2025.
For over four decades, SBKK's KRISHNA has inspired audiences of all generations with its timeless message of love, duty, compassion, and truth. The production offers not only an artistic display but also a spiritual inquiry into life's deeper meanings making it an ideal cultural offering for both the young and the old.
This presentation stands as a testament to Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra's unwavering commitment to nurturing India's cultural identity through performance, training in Indian classical music and dance, and public engagement for the past seven decades. As the nation seeks to reconnect its youth with timeless values and traditions, KRISHNA promises to be more than a production—it is an experience that uplifts, enlightens, and endures.
Entry by tickets priced at ₹3,500, ₹2,500, ₹1,500, ₹1,000, ₹750, ₹500, and ₹300 on BookMyShow. Physical tickets can be collected from Kamani Auditorium from August 9, 2025, onwards or on show dates.
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Economic Times
22 minutes ago
- Economic Times
From earning Rs 500 a month to starring in Rs 1160 crore movie with Shah Rukh Khan, a look at this Kapil Sharma show star's journey
Comedian Sunil Grover hails from Haryana. Once earning just Rs 500 a month, to sharing screen space with Shah Rukh Khan in, Jawan, one of the biggest blockbusters in Indian cinema, this Kapil Sharma star has won the hearts of millions with his role as Gutthi. When he was struggling with his low income, it was his father's words that pushed him during the difficult times to ultimately achieve success. Can you guess who the star is? Born in a modest household in Haryana, Sunil Grover grew up facing financial struggles. Despite limited resources, he pushed himself academically and earned a master's degree in theatre from Punjab University, Chandigarh. Acting was always his dream, and he eventually moved to Mumbai to make it happen. But the city wasn't easy on him. In his first year, he lived in a posh locality, partied often, and quickly burned through his savings, surviving on just Rs 500 a month. Looking back, the Bharat actor once said he wasn't worried despite the low income because he believed success was just around the corner. But as months went by without stable work, the reality began to weigh on him. It was his father's words — regretting not following his own passion — that pushed Sunil to keep going even when things looked bleak. His fortunes changed when he embraced mimicry and stand-up comedy. Television audiences fell in love with him as the unforgettable 'Gutthi' on Comedy Nights with Kapil. Later, his portrayal of 'Dr. Mashoor Gulati' on The Kapil Sharma Show turned him into a household name. Sunil's comic timing, quirky mannerisms, and ability to slip into characters made him one of the country's most beloved comedians. But Sunil didn't stop at comedy. He explored acting in films and web series, taking on roles in Ghajini, Gabbar Is Back, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Bharat, and Jawan. The Shah Rukh Khan starrer went on to earn Rs 640.25 crore at the Indian box office and Rs 1160 crore worldwide, cementing Sunil's place in mainstream cinema. Today, with a reported net worth of Rs 21 crore, he continues to entertain audiences on The Great Indian Kapil Show, proving that a dream backed by persistence can rewrite any script.


Indian Express
22 minutes ago
- Indian Express
50 years of Sholay: Mausi, Radha, Basanti and the stalled progress of the Hindi film heroine
When I revisited Sholay recently, I decided to watch it from a woman's perspective — especially since it's often described as 'progressive for its time' when it comes to female characters. Yes, it gave women screen time, independence, and personalities beyond the decorative. But look closer, and the three women in the film read like three generations of Indian womanhood — and a reminder of how far, or how little, we have progressed since. Mausi (Leela Mishra) is the gatekeeper of society's moral compass — orthodox, rooted in tradition, the unquestioned spokesperson for ghar-khandaan culture. Marriage without pedigree? Unthinkable. When Jai approaches her about Veeru and Basanti's marriage, she fires off: 'Bura mat manna par itna toh puchna hi padta hai ki ladke ka khandaan kya hai, lakshan kaise hai, aur kamata kaisa hai?' Sholay released just 28 years after Independence; India was still a country in transition. Salim–Javed likely used Mausi to mirror the dominant mindset of the time — a majority clinging to societal rules over personal choice. Radha (Jaya Bachchan) is the silent sufferer — the widow who loses not only her husband but her voice. She spends the film in quiet grief, her choices made for her by her father-in-law. She represents those — largely women, but also some men — who choose pain over conflict. Better to suffer quietly and maintain 'respectability' than risk upsetting the social balance. Basanti (Hema Malini) bursts onto the screen — loud, cheerful, unapologetic. She drives a tonga, speaks her mind, and works for a living — unheard of in a time when ghar ki izzat often meant women should be seen, not heard. She's the future, the hope that girls could step outside the home and live life on their terms. But here's the catch: for all her independence, Basanti's function in the plot is limited to being Veeru's love interest. Her 'heroic' act is dancing for Gabbar to save Veeru's life — a noble gesture, yes, but far from saving herself when Gabbar's men attack her or strategising against the villain who has long terrorised her village. That could have been Bollywood's turning point. Salim-Javed had handed over a heroine with wit, charm, and self-reliance — why not build on that? Instead, decades of cinema took the opposite route: more glamour, less agency. ALSO READ | How Malegaon Ke Sholay's crew of locals changed the way the iconic Dharmendra-Amitabh-starrer is seen Look at the biggest blockbusters post-Sholay: Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985), Mr. India (1987), Coolie (1983), Chandni (1989), DDLJ (1995), Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Darr (1993), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), 3 Idiots (2009), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001). Whether modern or traditional, the heroines are still orbiting the hero — the prize, the cheerleader, the moral compass. And in 2025, the problem has evolved into something worse — objectification packaged as comedy or 'mass appeal.' Take Son of Sardaar 2: Mrunal Thakur's denim pants are hacked into shorts, her shirt's buttons popped open — not to serve the plot, but to 'sex up' her character so she can seduce Ajay Devgn into a plan to trick Ravi Kishan into marrying his son to her niece. It's not about intelligence or skill — just appearance. Housefull 5 offers the same recycled objectification, dressing it up as entertainment. Of course, there are exceptions — Fire (1996), Kahaani (2012), Queen (2013), Tumhari Sulu (2017), Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) — where women drove the narrative, made decisions, and had true authority. But they remain rare. ALSO READ | Past Melodies: A look-back at the music of Sholay and what continues to make it timeless The irony? A 1975 blockbuster planted the seed for an empowered female lead, and fifty years later we still haven't let her grow. If filmmakers are serious about creating 'strong women,' they must go beyond giving them glamorous wardrobes and a few witty lines. Let her into the war room. Let her call the shots. Let her make the mistakes, set the traps, and deliver the final blow. Because Basanti could talk non-stop — but imagine if she also had the last word in Gabbar's defeat. Imagine if Radha had taken her revenge while Sanjeev Kumar's Thakur quietly stood by. And Mausi advocated for love over khandaan as a must for marriage. Now that would have been truly ahead of its time.


Hindustan Times
22 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
War 2 vs Coolie release and reviews live updates: Rajinikanth fans overtake theatres, will Hrithik Roshan break records?
War 2 vs Coolie release and reviews live updates: Rajinikanth celebrates 50 years of his career with this release. War 2 vs Coolie release and reviews live updates: Rajinikanth's Coolie is set to clash at the box office with Jr NTR and Hrithik Roshan's War 2, accounting for one of the biggest Indian cinema clashes in recent years. Coolie is directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and stars Rajinikanth and Nagarjuna in the lead roles, with Bollywood star Aamir Khan playing a prominent role in the More War 2 is the sequel to the blockbuster movie War, which was released in 2019. It starred Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff in the lead roles. Hrithik will reprise his role in the sequel as he clashes with Jr NTR in the movie.