At the heart of Kujita - Sanskrit for "the cooing of a bird" - was a year-long collaboration between Odissi dancer Akankshya Padhi and Hindustani vocalist Yusra Naqvi. What began as an artistic exchange grew into a repertoire shaped by the synergy of two young classical practitioners - where the voice carried the body forward, and the body, in turn, shaped the song.

Performed as a solo with live accompaniment by Naqvi, alongside Pradeepta Moharana on mardala, Shubhakant Sahoo on flute, and Arnaaz Zaman on manjeera, the piece placed the dancer in close dialogue with her musicians.

Photo credit: Akshita Doley