Nalanda Dance Research Centre helped make Indian classical dance a university subject. In 1973, its college, Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya, became what it describes as the country’s first exclusive dance college affiliated to a premier university, the University of Mumbai. That placed dance alongside other academic disciplines. The centre itself was founded in the mid-1960s by Dr. Kanak Rele (1937–2023), the Mohiniyattam exponent and scholar credited with reviving and popularising this classical dance form from Kerala. Today the non-profit public trust runs foundation classes for children, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programmes in dance, and dance research. The Government of India recognises it as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, which is unusual for an arts institution. It is based in the JVPD Scheme, Vile Parle (West), near Juhu in Mumbai.
| Quick Facts | Details |
| Full name | Nalanda Dance Research Centre (NDRC) and its Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya |
| Address | Plot A-7/1, N.S. Road No. 10, JVPD Scheme, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400049, India |
| Area | JVPD Scheme, near Juhu |
| Type | Non-profit public trust |
| Founder | Dr. Kanak Rele (11 June 1937 – 22 February 2023), dancer, scholar, and Padma Bhushan awardee |
| Centre founded | 1966 (some sources say 1967) |
| College founded | 1972–73 |
| College affiliation | Permanently affiliated to the University of Mumbai |
| Funding | Grant-in-aid from the Government of Maharashtra (college) |
| Accreditation | NAAC-accredited twice (B++ and B grades) |
| Research recognition | Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO), Ministry of Science and Technology |
| Current leadership | Dr. Uma Rele |
| Programmes | Foundation classes for children; BFA, MFA, and Ph.D. in dance; certificate and diploma courses |
| Dance forms | Indian classical dance, with a strong tradition in Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam |
| Notable work | Documentary Nritya Bharati, used by the Ministry of External Affairs for Indian missions abroad |
| Phone (as listed) | 022-2624 5008 |
| Nearest railway stations | Vile Parle and Andheri (Western Line) |
| Nearest airport | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, a short drive away |
| Time zone | IST, UTC+5:30 (no daylight saving) |
| Official website | nalandadancecollege.edu.in |
Dr. Kanak Rele and the Revival of Mohiniyattam
Mohiniyattam is a graceful classical dance of Kerala, known for its gentle swaying movements and lyrical expression. By the mid-20th century it had declined considerably. Dr. Kanak Rele made it her life’s work, performing, teaching, and researching the form so that it gained wider recognition.
She was unusual in several ways:
- She was a qualified lawyer as well as a dancer.
- She earned a PhD in dance from the University of Mumbai, where she also served as dean.
- She founded the Nalanda Dance Research Centre in the mid-1960s and the Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya in 1972–73.
- She received major national honours, including the Padma Bhushan.
Her aim, as she described it, was to promote the academic study of Indian classical dance “in its pristine purity” and to put the performing arts on par with every other stream of education. She died on 22 February 2023. Dr. Uma Rele now leads the institution.
Three Tiers Under One Roof
By 1973, Nalanda had grown into a three-tier institution:
| Tier | What It Offers |
| Foundation classes | Training in classical dance for children before university |
| Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya | A college of classical dancing, affiliated to the University of Mumbai, offering formal degrees |
| Research departments | Advanced research, including doctoral and post-doctoral work |
Students can begin as children and progress, if they choose, all the way to a doctorate in dance at the same institution. This combines the traditional guru–shishya (teacher–student) relationship with modern academic study.
Degree and Course Programmes
| Programme | Level | What It Involves |
| BFA (Dance) | Undergraduate | Practical training in classical dance with theory, history, music, and aesthetics |
| MFA (Dance) | Postgraduate | Advanced performance, choreography, and research methods |
| Ph.D. (Dance) | Doctoral | Original research on dance history, texts, technique, or aesthetics |
| Certificate and diploma courses | Short-term | Focused training in specific dance forms |
Past students include dancers who went on to earn master’s and doctoral degrees in Mohiniyattam through the college. Admission details, eligibility, and fees are published by the college each year.
Dance as a Field of Research
It surprises many people that a dance institution holds SIRO recognition, a status usually associated with science and technology labs. Nalanda’s research treats dance as a serious academic field. Research in this area can include:
- Studying classical texts such as the Natya Shastra and later treatises
- Documenting traditions through recordings and archives before they are lost
- Analysing movement and technique
- Studying aesthetics, history, and cultural context
- Developing teaching methods for classical dance
Nalanda’s documentary Nritya Bharati, on India’s classical dances, was acquired by the Ministry of External Affairs as an official film for Indian missions abroad.
Performances and Awards
Beyond teaching, Nalanda contributes to India’s dance culture through:
- Performances and festivals featuring students and faculty
- The Nalanda Kanaka Nartana Puraskaar, an award presented by the centre to dancers
- Seminars and workshops on classical dance
Location: JVPD Scheme, Vile Parle (West)
The centre is at Plot A-7/1, N.S. Road No. 10, in the JVPD (Juhu Vile Parle Development) Scheme, a leafy residential area close to Juhu.
- From Vile Parle station (Western Line): A short auto ride west.
- From Andheri station: A short auto or cab ride.
- From Juhu Beach: A few minutes by road.
- From the airport: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is a short drive away, depending on traffic.
For Prospective Students
- Start training early if you’re aiming for a degree. Most programmes expect prior grounding in a classical dance form.
- Check eligibility and audition requirements in the college’s current prospectus.
- Plan for both practice and theory. Degree study includes history, music, aesthetics, and research writing, not only performance.
- Think about career paths: performance, teaching in schools and academies, choreography, arts administration, research, dance therapy, and cultural work.
- Ask about hostel facilities if you’re coming from outside Mumbai.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the address of Nalanda Dance Research Centre?
A. Plot A-7/1, N.S. Road No. 10, JVPD Scheme, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400049.
Q2. Who founded Nalanda Dance Research Centre?
A. Dr. Kanak Rele, the renowned Mohiniyattam dancer and scholar.
Q3. When was Nalanda Dance Research Centre founded?
A. In the mid-1960s. Sources give 1966 or 1967.
Q4. Which university is Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya affiliated with?
A. It is permanently affiliated to the University of Mumbai.
Q5. What degrees does Nalanda offer?
A. BFA, MFA, and Ph.D. in dance, along with certificate and diploma courses.
Q6. Is Nalanda Dance Research Centre recognised for research?
A. Yes. It is recognised as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Q7. Which dance form is Nalanda best known for?
A. Mohiniyattam, which its founder helped revive and popularise.
Q8. Who leads Nalanda Dance Research Centre today?
A. Dr. Uma Rele.
Q9. What is the phone number of Nalanda Dance Research Centre?
A. The listed number is 022-2624 5008.
Q10. Is Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya NAAC accredited?
A. Yes. It has been NAAC-accredited twice, with B++ and B grades.
