NCPA appoints new programming heads

Company Brief

Mumbai, June 15, 2010

The National Centre for the Performing Arts, India's premier arts and culture institution, has announced the appointment of Ms. Deepa Gahlot as Head Programming, Indian Theatre and Film & Ms. Amrita Lahiri- Head Programming, Indian Dance of the NCPA.

Deepa Gahlot is a well rounded, critic, columnist, editor, author and has in- depth knowledge of the workings of the theatre and film industry. Deepa's credentials are not limited to the editorial sphere. She writes extensively on cinema, theatre, the arts, women's issues for several publications and websites. She has worked with an NGO in the field of tribal development, directed and written short documentaries, radio features and ran print features as well. She also won the National Award for Best Film Criticism in 1998 and has edited a number of cinema journals as well.

Prior to joining NCPA, Amrita has worked in arts management in Kalakshetra, the Kennedy Center, the American Festival in Durham and the Museum Rietberg in Zurich. Amrita Lahiri began dancing in Washington, D.C. with Anuradha Nehru and later learnt Bharata Natyam from Leela Samson in New Delhi, continuing her training in Kuchipudi under Swapnasundari.

Confirming the news, Mr. Khushroo Suntook, Chairman, NCPA, says, ""The NCPA intends to move towards a professional style of management, with good governance, so that our activities attract young professionals to join us. This month is one of consolidation of the NCPA's new management team, which will now be fully in place. We are fortunate in having Ms Deepa Gahlot, guiding the destiny of our Theatre and Film programming and Amrita Lahiri, an accomplished Kuchipudi dancer, taking over the Indian dance portfolio— two very important positions now filled by persons who are poised to bring in new ideas and thoughts on programming and expansion of activities of their departments."

Commenting on her appointment Deepa Gahlot Head Programming, Indian Theatre and Film said, "I am looking forward to attracting a younger audience and introducing films and theatre productions from other parts of the country and widening the NCPA's reach exposing Mumbai's audiences to a great variety. I am ready to take on the challenges this prestigious assignment brings forth"

Ms. Amrita Lahiri- Head Programming, Indian Dance of the NCPA adds, "A great challenge lies ahead and moving forward I would like to maintain the interest levels seen in dance but supplement the same with quality information. I hope the NCPA will be the place where people will come, not just to see dance, but to start a deeper interest in the field."

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