History of ICPAS
In 2024, an Indian classical dance group named Nritya was established at the University of Bristol to teach Kathak and create a team of dancers who could perform at Hindu cultural events. Over 100 students joined our movement, and the small dance group quickly began operating as an independent entity, soon gaining the momentum to organize an annual dance show.Taking a leap of faith, we hosted our first “Nritya Baithak” — a Kathak dance performance held at the Bristol Hindu Temple. The ticketed event welcomed an audience of 110 attendees and was met with great enthusiasm.
Following the success of Nritya Baithak, many dancers from other classical dance styles expressed interest in being represented as well. Around the same time, we also discovered a vibrant community of Indian classical musicians and singers. Inspired by the warm and appreciative reception of our initiative, we decided to formally establish the Indian Classical Performing Arts Society (ICPAS) in October 2025.
Today, ICPAS is an inclusive community of Indian classical singers, musicians, and dancers, united by a shared passion for preserving and promoting the timeless traditions of Indian classical art forms.
Students from all cultural backgrounds are welcome to join our society. When we say “Indian Classical,” we refer not to ethnicity or origin, but to a genre of dance and music that embodies centuries of artistry, rhythm, and expression.
How can you get involved?
We are a student society established to represent and advance the knowledge of Indian Classical Dance and Music in UK. Our membership is open only for students of University of Bristol at the moment. However, all our ticketed events can be attended by non-university members as audience by purchasing tickets from our website.
For our annual flagship show, we collaborate with many external organizations from wider Bristol Community, Thus, participation in our flagship event performance team which takes place in the Bristol Hindu Temple is open to all.
Moreover, the non-university stakeholders can attend our external dance class workshops. Please follow our instagram page and join our whatsapp group for regular updates on all events.
Meet Our Committee 2025-2026
We are a team of highly motivated, disciplined individuals who are extremely passionate about Indian Classical dance and music.
Founder, President 2025-2026
Shweta brings years of experience in Indian classical Kathak dance. Shweta is Kathak Nritya Visharad [graduate in Kathak] from Akhil Gandharva Mahavidyalay, Mumbai. She is trained in Kathak for over 15 years. She completed her Visharad training under Guru Apoorva Wadke Bakhsh Ji, a renowned artist of the Jaipur Gharana and is pursuing further Nritya Alankar training from Guru Dr. Smt. Manjiri Deo Ji. Shweta realized that there was no representation of Indian Classical dance in University of Bristol and the cultural events celebrated in University only included pop-culture representations sometimes which were not even Indian origin. With the help of Hindu society, she began the Nritya Kathak dance class under in 2023. The classical dance community grew exponentially. Seeing tremenduous representation from Bharatnatyam and even classical music in the University, she decided to start an independent society to advance the heritage of both Indian Classical dance and music, to provide a home to all students who had been trained and those who wished to learn.
Shweta believes in the power of storytelling through dance and emphasizes the importance of cultural heritage. Her classes not only focus on technique but also on the emotional expression that each movement conveys. She has performed at numerous prestigious events and is dedicated to making Indian classical dance accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Ananya Jayaraman
General Secretary
Ever since I was young, I’ve been meaning to learn Kathak. However, I never got the opportunity to do so even I grew up amid performing arts. I mostly learnt Carnatic music, and ICPAS was an opportunity for me to finally learn something I have been keen on for years. Joining ICPAS was far more valuable than I thought it would be. I have not only found an entire community of like-minded, culturally rooted individuals who I call my family as an International student away from home, but also a re-discovered identity as someone deeply passionate about performing arts. The performances and the classes and having something to anchor me when I need familiarity to turn to. I mainly contribute to ICPAS through Raaga. I first started learning Carnatic Music when I was 8 years old back in Singapore, and have been learning it for the past 15 years. Carnatic Music has held a special place in my heart as it reminds me of home, warmth and is my comfort. As Raaga head in ICPAS, I managed to bring together musicians to host Raaga’s first concert in November 2025, and continue to keep the team together to organize music jamming sessions. My aim is to simply share my love for Carnatic music and create a safe platform for whoever has lost touch with it through ICPAS. Music goes beyond performance—and ICPAS to me is that opportunity to see Carnatic Music in its raw form, beyond performance, achievement and a way to prove “one’s worth”. Additionally, I also work with the President to overlook overall execution, event planning and publicity. It warms my heart that I get to be such a vital part of such a nice initiative so far away from home, and aspire to contribute significantly to the classical arts performing landscape in Bristol.
Aayushi Rawat
Marketing and Social Media Head
Started dancing when I was about 4 and trained in Bharatnatyam for 7 years in India. Then I moved to the UK and coming to University, it’s been an honour to be able to be a part of this wonderful society, Indian Classical Performing Arts [ICPAS], I’ve been able to learn a new dance form Kathak and re-connect with Bharatnatyam. ICPAS brings me joy and motivation to continue learning dance and enjoy the culture and friends which I was able to make along the way.
Anika Tibrewal
Events Head
Anika is an exceptional Events Head at ICPAS, where her passion for arts and culture shines through every event she organizes. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, she brings social events, dance shows, and music concerts to life, managing each project from start to finish. Anika’s organizational skills and creative vision ensure that every occasion is memorable and engaging, fostering a sense of community among participants.
Testimonials from our members
ICPAS has been so much more than just a performing arts society to me. It was where I connected with my roots. I had completely lost touch with indian classical dance after learning bharatnatyam for 3 years. While joining ICPAS, I just wanted to learn about kathak as an art form and meet people of similar interests. Little did I know I would be joining something much bigger. I remember being really scared going for the first kathak class as I was a beginner. However, despite being a complete beginner, I was given the opportunity to not just learn about kathak but also perform infront of large audiences. I also made friends with amazing people who have taught me so much. Most importantly, I have learnt more about the beauty and depth of indian classical dance. Learning from and watching trained dancers has been a magical experience to say the least. The precision, sharpness and gracefulness of Kathak leaves me in awe and I am so lucky to have been given the opportunity to learn and perform with ICPAS. ICPAS has taught me humility, discipline and confidence. I am so immensely grateful for my experiences here and the comfort it brings me. It really is home away from home and it is the only place wherein everyone is united with their shared love for indian classical performing arts regardless of level of experience.
Joining ICPAS has been a transformative experience for me. The community is incredibly supportive. I got the opportunity to act in the Ramayana musical and play tabla at the prestigious 'Raaga Concert'. This was my first ever international Tabla performance. I was able to develop confidence. ICPAS is such an inclusive and welcoming community that gives everyone an opportunity to perform.
The performances offered by ICPAS have deepened my appreciation for Indian classical dance and music. I’ve learned so much and met wonderful people along the way!
Being part of ICPAS has connected me with my roots. The society fosters an environment where I can express myself through dance and music entirely.
