Catching the Right Beat: DSM Alumni in Music & Dance
For many, theatre is a gateway to exploring the harmony between different art forms. Drama School Mumbai (DSM) alumni have taken their theatre training to new heights, blending it with music and dance to create dynamic, multidisciplinary careers. Here, we spotlight four alumni whose journeys in music and dance reflect DSM’s holistic approach to the performing arts.
Meghna Roy Choudhury: Merging Dance and Theatre
“Modern theatre has a lot to learn from classical art forms.”
– Meghna Roy Choudhury
With 24 years of Bharatnatyam experience, Meghna Roy Choudhury has cultivated a unique practice that balances the structure of classical dance with the expressiveness of theatre. After completing her degree in physics, Meghna joined DSM, finding that theatre expanded her understanding of movement and emotion. Although adjusting to DSM’s theatre-centric language was challenging, Meghna embraced the experience.
With support from the Niloufer Sagar Alumni Production Grant, Meghna created The Apology, a play that beautifully fuses dance and theatre. For Meghna, Bharatnatyam’s disciplined emotive power is a tool that enriches her theatrical performances. “For me, performing Bharatnatyam and Abhinaya pieces is a quick way to access a variety of emotions,” she shares, emphasising how classical dance techniques complement her theatre practice.
Abhimanyu Gupta: Harmonizing Voice and Movement
“DSM made me more analytical, more philosophical, and more athletic.”
– Abhimanyu Gupta
A trained Hindustani classical vocalist and dancer, Abhimanyu Gupta joined DSM to explore the intersections of singing, dancing, and acting. Known for his roles in musicals like Say Cheese Grand Pa, Still Dancing, and Chattans, Abhimanyu sought to discover how his skills could come together on stage.
At DSM, he found new ways to analyse and articulate his craft, seeing his body as an instrument much like his voice. “DSM made me more analytical, more philosophical, and more athletic,” he says. Abhimanyu’s rigorous approach to riyaaz—practicing one’s craft—reflects the discipline he gained at DSM. Today, he continues to perform, blending his talents in music and theatre.
Abhinav Grover: From Folk Forms to Physical Theatr
“The Ley (rhythm) and Shruti (pitch) of Yakshagana help me understand any scene, dialogue, physicality, and character.”
– Abhinav Grover
After DSM, Abhinav Grover delved into Kannada folk form Yakshagana, integrating traditional rhythms and techniques with his theatre work. His Yakshagana training provided him with “the Ley (rhythm) and Shruti (pitch),” essential skills that have greatly influenced his approach to character development and physicality in theatre.
Abhinav’s theatre journey, from Agni aur Barkha to TV shows like The Rocket Boys, reflects his commitment to lifelong learning. DSM’s philosophy of “learning throughout life” has stayed with him, guiding him as he bridges folk forms and theatre to create versatile, compelling performances.
Meenakshi Arundhati: Exploring the Depths of Traditional and Modern Dance
“DSM was a contemporary way of learning… always about discovering things.”
– Meenakshi Arundhati
An actor, dancer, and researcher, Meenakshi Arundhati’s journey began with Odissi and Kathak training from the age of four. DSM provided her with a space to connect her classical roots to contemporary issues, exploring themes like gender politics and caste within her performances.
At DSM, Meenakshi found freedom from the regimented structures of traditional dance. The training encouraged her to connect with her art on a deeper level, balancing structured movement with creative expression. “A lot of theatre training is about waiting… you go through it, and the realisation comes with time,” she explains. Meenakshi now brings this depth to her choreography and performances, integrating her classical training with theatre’s experimental edge.
The DSM Advantage: Blending Art Forms for a Unique Career
Alumni like Meghna, Abhimanyu, Abhinav, and Meenakshi prove that theatre skills extend beyond the stage. Through DSM, they’ve learnt to blend music, dance, and theatre, creating performances that resonate across art forms. DSM’s approach nurtures multidisciplinary artists, empowering them to explore, create, and redefine their craft.
Article written by Vibhanshu Doshi