NUS Arts Festival 2025: CROSSROADS
Nirnayā: In Every Choice, A Legacy presents the tales of four iconic women from the timeless Indian epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharatam. In this much anticipated collaboration, NUS Indian Dance and NUS Indian Instrumental Ensemble showcase a blend of Classical Music and dance styles; namely Bharatanatyam and Kathak. Through the interplay of movement, expression, and rhythm, the triumphs and tribulations of Sita, Shoorpanakha, Draupadi, and Kunti will be brought to life in this powerful tribute to India’s legends and lore.
Late Seating Policy
Latecomers cannot be admitted until an appropriate break in the show. For shows without an intermission, latecomers may risk being denied entry if there is no appropriate break in the show.
Admission of Children
All children require a purchased ticket for entry. As a courtesy to other audience members, infant in arms ad prams, and children below six years of age cannot be admitted for ticketed shows.
Photography, Audio and Video Recording
Photography and all manner of unauthorised audio and video recording are strictly prohibited.
Access
UCC Theatre is wheelchair accessible. Please contact us at [email protected] before purchasing your tickets if you have access requirements.
Advisory
This show may use theatrical haze. Viewer discretion is advised.
For queries or more information, please contact us at [email protected].
All information is correct at time of publishing but may be subject to change without prior notice.
The Organiser reserves the right to amend the above without prior notice. In the event of any dispute, the Organiser’s decision is final.
NUS Indian Instrumental Ensemble
Through the practice and performance of music rooted deep within Indian culture, the NUS Indian Instrumental Ensemble provides an open and inclusive environment to stage cultural dialogues with a diverse range of genres across the world. Since its founding in 1987, IIE has explored a variety of themes that form the basis of traditional Indian music, ranging from the evolution of music in the Indians sub-continent to religion and socio-political dialogues in the South Asian region. By exploring fusion music, and blending both Eastern and Western influences, IIE hopes to reflect the vibrant identity of contemporary Asian youth.
Nawaz Mirajkar (Music Director, NUS Indian Instrumental Ensemble)
Nawaz Mirajkar hails from a proud lineage of musicians, where he began playing the tabla under the tutelage of his father Ustad Mohammad Hanif Khan Mirajkar.
Nawaz joined the Temple of Fine Arts, Singapore as Head of Percussion in 1996 and is also an adjunct faculty member at the Music Faculty of the School of the Arts (SOTA). His leadership at the National University of Singapore’s Indian Instrument Ensemble, along with his founding role in the “Swarhythm Singapore” ensemble, reflects his dedication to elevating Indian music through captivating performances that harmonize Eastern and Western influences.
In addition to being a celebrated tabla player, Nawaz is a prolific composer and collaborator, known for his innovative orchestral compositions, including Swarhythm, available on Spotify, iTunes, and major digital platforms. Although classically trained, Nawaz’s versatility as a musician has resulted in forays into contemporary fusion music, collaborating with many renowned artists from around the world.
NUS Indian Dance
NUS Indian Dance Established in 1977 by the late Mrs Santha Bhaskar, NUS Indian Dance has a rich history of over 40 years, building a solid repertoire for the group. Mrs Santha Bhaskar has been NUS’s longest-serving artistic tutor leading NUS Indian Dance in over 100 pieces performed on and off campus. Currently, Indian Dance is led by Ms Swarna Varsha Gurumoorthy. NUS Indian Dance is a close knitted community of dancers that provides individuals a safe space to learn and showcase passion in the art form, enabling dancers to develop holistically. Exploring a myriad of themes through Indian classical dance, NUS Indian Dance works towards creating a community of passionate dancers committed to sustaining the art of Indian Dance. The group also strives to instill the drive among members to give back to the community through the art scene.
Swarna Varsha Gurumoorthy (Principal Tutor, NUS Indian Dance)
Swarna Varsha Gurumoorthy, a distinguished Bharatanatyam artist with over 20 years of experience, trained under Acharya Dr. S. Divyasena at Divyanjali, Chennai, from the age of six. She was awarded the Scholarship for Young Artists in Bharatanatyam by India’s Ministry of Culture (2010–2012) and is a graded Doordarshan artiste. Swarna has performed on prestigious stages such as the Devdasi Festival (Orissa, 2017), Kalavaibhavam by Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (2019), and Kala Utsavam at Esplanade (2021). Her solo recitals span prominent sabhas in Chennai and stages in Thailand and Malaysia. Swarna began teaching at Divyanjali in 2009, later teaching in Singapore (2013–2018). She now directs Swarna Kala Mandir (SKM) and has choreographed productions like Dhaara – The Divine Rainfall (2019) and Shanmatham – Six Paths to Divinity (2023). Swarna is also training in Kathak under Guru Mulla Afsar Khan and holds a Master’s in Science & Technology Communication from Anna University.