"A seminar on the future of ballet in India is also part of the programme," says Apeksha Bhattacharya, director, Great Indian Ballet Competition. She goes on to reveal that the 61 students, half of whom will make it to the final round will compete for not only awards, but scholarships this time. The winners will be presented with 14 such scholarships to renowned ballet schools such as Russian school of Ballet in Johannesburg, Armiani Baletki School in Belgrade, Antoinette Pylarinu in Vienna and International Ballet Competition in Nuremberg. Here's a look at three promising talents who will compete today:

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.76%

AAP 43.10%

INC 24.14%

Submit

View All In Poll

Esme Norona, 5

Mumbai (Kids category 4 to 6 years)
Noronha started training in both classical and modern ballet at the early age of four and bagged the second place in the same competition last year, just a year into training. "I always looked at her frame (petite) and imagined her doing ballet. After enrolling in a class, she began loving it," says Lavina Yohannan, her mother. "She trains twice a week now and can't wait to perform," she adds. At the competition, she will be seen performing a classical Fairy Doll and a modern version to Rihanna's Diamonds.

Sunepsangla Jamir, 13

Nagaland (Youth category 11 to 14 years)
Based in Nagaland, Jamir relies on short intensive courses in Mumbai twice a year for her ballet training, practising on her own at other times. She started ballet at the age of four but only took to it in earnest when she turned nine. "I didn't quite understand what I was doing back then. But, now it's both fun and challenging," she admits. Jamir will perform a modern variation of Aurora.

Balyogeshwar Prajapati, 23

New Delhi (Senior category 15 to 25 years)
A street dancer who took to ballet early on, Prajapati is one of the few Indian male ballet dancers who was intrigued by the form. "I found it very graceful," he says talking about his six-year-long journey training in it. He now runs a ballet school in his home city and is striving to train more boys in ballet and put together the first Indian male ballet group. At the competition, he will perform a classical solo with Flame of Paris and a modern ballet version of Rude Magic.

On November 30, 2.30 pm to 6 pm and December 1, 4 pm to 6.30 pm.
At Russian Centre for Science and Culture, Peddar Road
Free

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates