The Living Library: An Evening of Indian Classical Music & Dance

Join the New York Public Library at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library for an evening of Indian Classical Music and Dance at the 2026 World Literature and Arts Festival! 

An evening born from the idea that the great works of literature were never meant to stay static on the shelves, the Living Library brings classic works of Indian literature onto the stage at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library to kick off the 2026 World Literature and Arts Festival. Join us as we reimagine stories and verses through a dialogue between two of India’s profound classical dance traditions. 

Kathak dancer Neeharika Tummala brings the story driven art of Kathak to NYPL, with her performance capturing fast footwork balanced by subtle, conversational nuances that define the North Indian tradition, turning literary metaphors into rhythmic reality. Author Nandana Dev Sen will recite her poetry as Neeharika translates them to dance. In a contrasting performance, Bharatanatyam dancer Sloka Iyengar presents the grounded, sculptural power of her dance form which is rooted in South Indian tradition. With its sharp geometry and  emotional expressions, Iyengar's interpretation will translate the spiritual depth of the literature into a visual language.

A live musical ensemble featuring esteemed tabla player Karamat Khan Kalavant and sarangi player Rohan Misra will both accompany the dancers, as well as share their own mastery of music. Together, these artists will create an experience that honors the vibrant spirit of Indian classical arts tradition through storytelling. 

Register now. This event will take place in person and online. 

To join the event in person | Please register for an In-Person Ticket. Doors will open 30 minutes before the program begins. For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. 

To join the event online | Please register for an Online Ticket. A livestream of this event will be available on this NYPL event page. To receive an email reminder shortly in advance of the event, please be sure to register! If you encounter any issues, please join us on NYPL's YouTube channel.

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS

Neeharika Tummala is an apprentice dance in the Leela Dance Collective, a teacher in the Kathak Legacy Project and senior student of Kathak in the lineage of Pandit Chitresh Das. Neeharika first began her study under Joanna D'Souza, a senior disciple of Pandit Das and now is continuing her study in the same lineage under Rachna Nivas, a leading Kathak practitioner, performing artist, and educator of Kathak Dance. She has performed in major festivals in Toronto such as Ratha Yatra, Nuit Blanche, TIFF. In the US, she performed at the ASU Gammage representing the Leela Dance Collective, in Reclaiming the Feminine Divine, a work by Rachna Nivas, and most recently as a soloist in the What Flows Between Us Festival at the 92Y. 

Sloka Iyengar is a neuroscientist and practitioner of Bharatanatyam, passionate about relieving suffering through scientific inquiry and artistic expression. As a Bharatanatyam performer and practitioner, Sloka continues her learning from gurus at Nritya Kala Kendra, Ahmedabad. She strives to make Bharatanatyam accessible to all by creating productions that explore the points of convergence between dance and neuroscience, using Bharatanatyam to facilitate creative aging, and collaborating with artists of different disciplines. 

Karamat Khan Kalavant, a New York City–based tabla player, is a descendant of Ustad Rehman Khan Sahab and received his training from his father, Ustad Firoz Khan Sahab, and grandfather, Ustad Kadar Khan Sahab. Rooted in the Purab style of tabla—a rich fusion of diverse gharanas—he has developed into a passionate and dynamic percussionist. His exceptional layakari and rhythmic command deeply captivate audiences. Beyond classical music, he has also mastered semi-classical forms and has a deep connection with Asian musical traditions, bringing their essence into his performances while gaining experience in Kathak tabla vadan across India. After touring extensively in India, he now performs widely across the U.S., especially in New York City, collaborating with jazz ensembles and symphony orchestras.

Rohan Misra is a tenth-generation sarangi artist, continuing a rare and respected family tradition of Indian classical music. He began learning the sarangi at the age of six from his father and Guru, the legendary Pandit Ramesh Misra. Under his guidance, Rohan inherited a rich musical legacy shaped by nine generations before him. He now continues his training under the guidance of Pandit Kushal Das, whose mentorship plays an important role in shaping and deepening his musical growth. While strongly rooted in classical music, Rohan also explores other genres and cross-cultural collaborations, bringing new sounds and ideas to the sarangi, an instrument often described as having “a hundred colors.”

Nandana Dev Sen is an award-winning poet, child-rights activist, and international actor. She is the author of eight books, available in more than 15 languages globally. This includes ACROBAT, her translations of the beloved Bengali poetry of Nabaneeta Dev Sen, included in NYPL’s permanent collection (and its title poem has been jointly installed across New York City by the Poetry Society and the City of New York). Nandana grew up in India, England and America, and has starred in 20 feature films from four continents. After studying literature at Harvard and filmmaking at USC, Nandana worked as a book editor, a screenwriter, an interpreter for refugees, an advocate for child protection, and as Princess Jasmine in Disneyland. The winner of many academic awards, poetry prizes, and Best Actress awards, Nandana has served as an Ambassador of UNICEF, Save the Children, and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Currently, Nandana is a Director of the Women’s Refugee Commission, where she heads the Programs and Advocacy Committee, and Author Advocate for girls’ education Room to Read.

Pubali Mattoo (composer), has been a student of Hindustani classical vocal music for over 30 years now. She studied in the Kirana gharana tradition under Swargiya Guru Smt. Swati Phadke Ji and is currently pursuing her advanced musical journey under Smt. Anuradha Kuber Ji, a mellifluous exponent of the Bhendi Bazaar tradition (Pune). Pubali has been recognized through various prestigious awards such as Music Fellowship given by Swargiya Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj ji (2014, Hyderabad) & Hindustani Vocal Finalist at National Youth Festival (Raipur, 2015). She has collaborated with several dance productions like 'Mah Laqa Bai Chanda' (Sutradhar, Hyderabad), ‘Meerabai’ (Vadodara), and has composed original music for the ghazal and vak in this presentation. She holds a ‘Sangeet Visharad distinction’ (Bachelor's degree in Indian Classical vocal, Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya) and is the founder-teacher at 'Abhivyakti - a learning space for music' (@swar.abhivyakti)

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

The New York Public Library’s World Literature & Arts Festival (April 14–30, 2026) brings together trailblazers from diverse disciplines and backgrounds to celebrate storytelling and spotlight NYC’s vibrant communities. Join us for free events, programs, book recommendations, and resources for all ages.

BOOKS & MORE 

Discover more books and ideas tied to this program in The New York Public Library's collections. 

• Borrow: NYPL Catalog


• E-Books: Check out this title—and even more NYPL e-books—on your favorite device. Learn more: nypl.org/ebookhelp

Don't have a New York Public Library card? Get one here!

ACCESSIBILITY NOTES

In-Person

• Assistive listening devices and/or hearing loops are available at the venue.


• ASL interpretation and real-time captioning (CART) are available upon request. Please submit your request via this form or contact the hosting library at least two weeks in advance.

Livestream

• Captions and a transcript will be provided.


• Please submit your request via this form or contact the hosting library at least two weeks in advance to request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation.

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