CCLA Member
for Dance.
Somya
Kautia
With over seven years in the arts industry, Somya Kautia works at the intersection of choreography, curation, and performance education. She specialises in creating immersive, interdisciplinary experiences that connect audiences to artists, collaborating with leading festivals, institutions, and brands in India and internationally.
B. Com (Hons) – Kamala Nehru College, Delhi University (2013–2016) | President, Choreography Society – Adagio
Professional Semester in Dance – Broadway Dance Centre, New York (2017)
Paris Summer Academy, Paris (2019) – Interdisciplinary training in Contemporary Dance, Physical Theatre, Performance Art, and Voice
B12 Research or Die, Berlin (2022) – Research workshops in Theatre, Zen Acrobatics, Movement Research, Tai Chi, Partnering, and Creation Tools
Independent Artistic Work
Choreographed and performed in 9 music videos, 2 advertisements, 1 independent film (screened at IDFF Bhubaneswar, IFFK LIVE Trivandrum, IFFS Shimla), and 1 commercial Telugu film (Natyam). | Collaborated with Monica Dogra for a 6-city live performance tour. | Created several experimental works through performance residencies.
Founder & Facilitator
In Contact: Art of Improvisation Residency (Goa, 2022–Present)
Designed and facilitated workshops combining Capoeira and Contact Improvisation for global practitioners, focusing on floor work, partnering, acrobatics, and improvisation.
Key Collaborations & Commissions
HowAreYouFeeling.Studio
Co-created immersive and conceptual dance performances (Connectivity Connections, Soho House, 2024; Umami Launch, Taj Mahal Palace, 2024; Timeless Tryst, IFBE Studio). | Pickle Factory Foundation – Co-created site-specific work EPSE: Everything Potentially is Something Else (2024); guest faculty for Movement Research workshop at Anuchintan Art Centre. | G5A Foundation – Recipient of Warehouse Performance Grant for (to mould) (2025); curated and taught movement workshop Draw the line at for Should Art festival. | Goethe-Institut, Mumbai & Pune – Designed and conducted 4 movement workshops as part of Critical Zones exhibition (2022).
Notable Organisational Roles
Programme Director, Nritya Shakti (2017–2020) – Curated international faculty, created Intensive Training Program, organised global cultural exchange with Viksjöforsbaletten (Sweden), adapted operations to online platforms during COVID-19. | Guest Faculty, KRVIA University (2024) – Designed and delivered What is Performance? elective, guiding students in performance-film presentations.