Origins and Philosophy
The Little Ballet Troupe was founded in January 1952 under the guidance of Shanti Bardhan in Mumbai. Both its formation and name reflected the freshness of vision and bold spirit of experimentation that characterized Bardhan’s work throughout his career. This vision was shared wholeheartedly by his colleagues, who understood that for ballet to take its proper place in people’s lives, it needed to draw inspiration predominantly from folk traditions rather than being centered around individual star performers trained in India’s classical traditions.
The word ‘Little’ in the troupe’s title referred neither to modest conception nor limited artistic ambition. Instead, it represented a radical new approach to ballet, envisioning it as a symbol of the highest degree of coordination and integration for collective artistic purpose. This approach acknowledged that Indian folk drama traditions and contemporary theater demanded that excessive showmanship be replaced by the economy characteristic of true creative expression.
Growth and Development
The founding group was soon joined by other talented artists who were drawn to its serious purpose and dedication to ballet. The troupe began functioning as both a training center for theater arts—especially dance, music, and décor—and as a professional performing company maintaining high standards.
In 1964, the Little Ballet Troupe relocated from Mumbai to Gwalior to continue its professional work and establish a training institution. At this time, it reconstituted itself as an Institute of Theatre Arts, named Rangasri Little Ballet Troupe, incorporating both training facilities and a regular performing company.
The troupe developed an impressive repertoire comprising:
- 36 full-length ballets
- Manipuri dance performances
- Mayurbhanj & Seraikela Chhau dances
- Various short dance numbers that could be presented independently or alongside the ballets
Establishment in Bhopal
In 1984, Rangasri Little Ballet Troupe moved to Bhopal, where the Madhya Pradesh Government allotted two acres of land for construction of its facilities. Key developments included:
- March 13, 1995: Bhoomi Poojan ceremony
- December 16, 1995: Shilanyaas ceremony
- February 28, 1997: Inauguration of the theater (named “Ragbandh”) by then-President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma
The completed facility includes:
- An amphitheater with 500-seat capacity
- Green rooms and technical facilities
- Two side rooms for lighting
- Rehearsal studio
- Storage facilities
- Two halls for the museum of performing arts
Vision and Activities
Rangasri continues to carry forward an ambitious program of activities through various departments:
Performance and Training
- Department of Ballet and Drama for experimentation, production, and performance
- Three studios for practice and experiments
- School of Ballet
- General classes for training in classical, traditional, ballet, and Indian theatre
- One-year intensive training program in Indian Theatre, combining acting, dancing, and singing
Research and Documentation
- Museum of Performing Arts
- Department of Research in Ballet, Theatre & Orchestration
- Documentation department for film, video, and recording
- Comprehensive library covering art, literature, architecture, sculpture, theatre, philosophy, and history
Technical Support
- Department of Costumes
- Technical facilities for production support
The institution remains true to its founding vision of being “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” continuing to serve as a center for preserving and advancing India’s performing arts traditions while fostering innovation and excellence in theatrical expression.
