An initiative of the Prakriti Foundation, the Prakriti Excellence in Contemporary Dance Awards (PECDA), held in Bangalore from 11th to 14th March 2026, brought together emerging contemporary dancers from across India, offering them a platform for visibility, mentorship, and international exposure.
A long-standing partner of the awards, the French Institute in India was pleased to support this edition, marked by the recognition of Deep Das as the winner. Deep Das was previously selected as a part of Cartes Blanches, a transmission project initiated by Mourad Merzouki following the India tour of Pixel by Compagnie Käfig in 2023.
In parallel to the Indian tour of Pixel, auditions were organized in collaboration with the Prakriti Foundation, to identify Indian dancers in order to reinterpret another iconic show of Mourad, Cartes Blanches, which he had created for the 20th year anniversary of his company. Held in Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai, these auditions attracted multiple candidates, reflecting the growing interest in contemporary dance practices and international collaboration. It resulted in selecting 6 dancers to perform the piece, with a 2-week intensive training in Bangalore, alongside French choreographer Mourad Merzouki and his team. From 6 to 27 November 2024, the Cartes Blanches tour captivated audiences across Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.
Deep Das was among the performers selected to be part of that adventure. This is how he reflects:
An initiative of the Prakriti Foundation, the Prakriti Excellence in Contemporary Dance Awards (PECDA), held in Bangalore from 11th to 14th March 2026, brought together emerging contemporary dancers from across India, offering them a platform for visibility, mentorship, and international exposure.
A long-standing partner of the awards, the French Institute in India was pleased to support this edition, marked by the recognition of Deep Das as the winner. Deep Das was previously selected as a part of Cartes Blanches, a transmission project initiated by Mourad Merzouki following the India tour of Pixel by Compagnie Käfig in 2023.
In parallel to the Indian tour of Pixel, auditions were organized in collaboration with the Prakriti Foundation, to identify Indian dancers in order to reinterpret another iconic show of Mourad, Cartes Blanches, which he had created for the 20th year anniversary of his company. Held in Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai, these auditions attracted multiple candidates, reflecting the growing interest in contemporary dance practices and international collaboration. It resulted in selecting 6 dancers to perform the piece, with a 2-week intensive training in Bangalore, alongside French choreographer Mourad Merzouki and his team. From 6 to 27 November 2024, the Cartes Blanches tour captivated audiences across Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.
Deep Das was among the performers selected to be part of that adventure. This is how he reflects:
“Cartes Blanches was a very enriching experience; the memories from the tour are still fresh in my mind. It helped me develop an understanding of stage direction and lighting design, which supported the vision for my performance piece.”
Now recognized at PECDA, over a year later, this journey reaches a new turning point.
“I’m really grateful to share my art and dance approach, which I have been practicing for almost 17 years now. Performing and winning at PECDA pushes me to go further and develop my performing abilities and creative mindset. It’s an honour to connect with international and Indian artists and receive that recognition.” — Deep Das
The award not only acknowledges his work but also opens new avenues for growth. Along with financial support to expand his work into a full-length production, he will now travel to France for a mentorship opportunity with French choreographer Saïdo Lehlouh at the CCN Rennes. This next step marks a significant moment in his professional trajectory, reinforcing the long-term impact of artistic exchange initiatives.
“I’m looking forward to taking my artistry to the next level through this mentorship. I’m excited to work alongside Saïdo Lehlouh, who is a fantastic artist and human being. It’s a dream to engage with the dance scene in France, to perform, and to share my work on new platforms. I feel a strong connection with the artistic community there, and this opportunity will play a significant role in my dance career.” he adds.
From Cartes Blanches to PECDA and now to France, this trajectory illustrates how sustained collaboration can translate into real opportunities for artists. Beyond individual recognition, it reflects the strength of long-term Indo-French partnerships in building meaningful and lasting connections across the performing arts ecosystem.