Early Beginnings: A Dance of Destiny
At just 19 years old, Vriti Gujral has carved out a niche for herself as one of India’s most promising young dancers. Weaving a rare tapestry of Indian classical tradition and contemporary vision, Vriti’s journey has been anything but ordinary.
Born and raised in New Delhi, Vriti’s journey into the realm of Kathak began at the age of six, when the sound of ghungroos during a trial class captivated her heart. Guided by Guru Shri Barun Bannerjee of the Lucknow Gharana, she immersed herself in the rigorous discipline of the Indian classical dance form, Kathak, mastering its intricate footwork, abhinaya (expressions) and rhythmic nuances.
A Star is Born: Recognition at a Young Age
Her extraordinary talent soon caught the attention of legends. At just nine years old, during rehearsals for the World Cultural Festival, she was invited by Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj to perform a solo at the prestigious festival, Vasantotsav.
Since then, Vriti has been recognised both globally and nationally, some of her achievements being-
- Winning the Global Child Prodigy Award, making her one of the top 100 child prodigies worldwide.
- The Ministry of Culture in India invited her as one of the “40 Youth Icons of India” to participate in the song “Mauka Hai,” released by T-series.
- She is a National Scholarship recipient from the Centre of Cultural Resource and Training (CCRT), under the aegis of India’s Cultural Ministry.
- She is a member of “The International Dance Council CID” affiliated with the UNESCO, Paris.
- She is a national television performer with solo performances on DD NATIONAL and Doordarshan Girnar and group performance on DD Urdu.
- Recently, Vriti added another feather to her cap by becoming a TEDx speaker, where she spoke about the challenges of balancing the legacy of Indian classical dance with making it accessible to modern audiences. Through her talk, she inspired countless young artists to honour tradition while embracing change.
Vriti has consistently exhibited remarkable talent and dedication in dance, garnering accolades and recognition across various platforms.
Eyes on the Future
Vriti’s aspirations continue to grow as she steps into larger arenas. During her school years, she created a legacy of student-led musical productions for consecutively 2 years by conceptualising, scripting, choreographing, and directing two musicals, bringing together over 200 students and fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration.
Building on this foundation, she has already been a performing artist in major productions like Mughal-e-Azam, one of India’s most celebrated theatrical shows, showcasing her talent on professional stages. She envisions pioneering fusion-based Musical Productions on prestigious stages such as Broadway and Westend that break free from conventional norms, exploring diverse dance forms, thought-provoking themes, and universal human experiences.
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