Kathmandu, May 31 -- A Kathak performance does not begin in haste. It asks for stillness.

That is also how 'Umanga: The Joy Continues' opened at Mandala Theatre. Before the technical footwork, group formations, and mythological storytelling took over the stage, the performance began with a bandana. For Aesthetic Dance Studio, this opening established the performance tradition's Hindu roots and sought blessings before the dancers proceeded with the rest of the evening.

The first day of 'Umanga' focused mainly on Level Two and Level Three students of Aesthetic Dance Studio. Rather than a single polished production by professional dancers, it placed students at different stages of their training on stage, allowing the audience to witness t...