The Modern Natya Company

The Modern Natya Company™ blends Indian classical arts with Western contemporary techniques to explore social issues important to the South Asian diaspora. MNC uses film and live performance to challenge audiences to see Bharatanatyam as a versatile movement foundation that isn’t limited to “classical” traditional performances; rather, MNC’s trailblazing projects show how Bharatanatyam can–and should–be used as a storytelling tool across diverse media.

The company’s signature movement style, Modern Natya™, pays respects to 2 cultural lineages: Tamil (South Indian) traditional arts and the cultural model of disability. MNC is inspired by and owes deep gratitude to its San Francisco/Bay Area home, which is both the birthplace of the American Disability Rights Movement and the epicenter of the largest South Asian professional performing arts community in the United States.

The Modern Natya Company is a project of Swetha Prabakaran Productions, designated as a not-for-profit organization under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3).