The creative force behind Atorium Foundation.
Director
Nisha Ray's journey in dance began under the guidance of renowned Kathak Guru Moumala Nayak, where she trained rigorously in the classical discipline of Kathak, going on to earn her M.A. in Kathak from Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, along with an Alankaar Purna from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Miraj.
Her pursuit of a wider movement vocabulary drew her to Mayurbhanj Chhau, which she trained in under Guru J.J. Saibabu and Shashidharan Nair, allowing her to bring together the grace of Kathak with the raw, grounded energy of Chhau — a blend that now defines her signature style as a performer.
Today, Nisha Ray leads Atorium Foundation, guiding a repertoire that fuses classical technique with traditional storytelling and Indian rhythms. Over more than two decades, she has performed extensively across India and abroad, including a performance at the Red Fort's opening ceremony in the presence of President Ram Nath Kovind, and at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony under the guidance of Pt. Birju Maharaj.
As a dedicated educator, she continues to conduct workshops and masterclasses, mentoring the next generation of dancers while pushing the boundaries of Kathak and staying rooted in its traditions. Her contributions to the art form were recognised with the prestigious Nritya Sadhana Samman at Kalamahotsav-25.
Artistic Director
Rahul Ray's path as a dancer took shape through a certificate course in Mayurbhanj Chhau at Sriram Bharati Kala Kendra, followed by formal training in Kathak at Pracheen Kala Kendra, and a B.A. in Drama from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata — a foundation that shaped him into both a performer and a storyteller.
His artistic identity took further depth through his years with Alternative Living Theatre under Guru Prabir Guha, where he explored physical theatre and devised performance, and through his continuing collaboration with his Guru, Sangeet Natak Academy awardee Janmejoy Sai Babu, deepening his command over Mayurbhanj Chhau and the Uday Shankar style of Indian creative dance.
As Artistic Director of Atorium Foundation, Rahul has choreographed and performed in acclaimed productions such as "Rudrama Devi" at TSNA, Warangal, and "Samartheya" at the Khajuraho Festival, alongside "Warrior Women of Bharat," staged in Russia, at the India Habitat Centre, and in Ahmedabad. His work has also taken him to international stages across Vietnam, Canada, Bangkok, and South Korea.
Since 2013, he has served as Dance Teacher and Head of the Department at Sanskriti School, New Delhi, where he continues to nurture young dancers, and remains associated with Padmashri & Sangeet Natak Academy awardee Smt. Pratibha Prahlad, carrying forward a shared commitment to the evolution of Indian classical and contemporary dance.
