Mumbai, December 12, 2025 – The internationally acclaimed Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg concluded a triumphant three-day run of Boris Eifman’s “Anna Karenina” at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) Mumbai from December 8-10, 2025, marking the ballet’s historic debut in India as part of the company’s ongoing Asia tour. All three performances at the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre were sold out, with audiences responding with standing ovations each night to this ambitious production that represents one of the most significant cultural events hosted by the NCPA.
The performances, part of the company’s ongoing Asia tour across China, Vietnam and India, offered Indian audiences a rare opportunity to experience one of the world’s leading contemporary ballet companies from Saint Petersburg, widely regarded as Russia’s ballet capital. A ballet production of this scale is uncommon in India, and the NCPA’s Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, designed for operatic and orchestral performances that match international standards, provided the perfect venue for the company’s ensemble.
Created by legendary choreographer Boris Eifman, Artistic Director of Eifman Ballet and People’s Artist of Russia, “Anna Karenina” is based on Leo Tolstoy’s iconic novel and is recognised as one of the company’s signature psychological ballets. Premiered on March 31, 2005, the production uses Eifman’s distinctive “dance of emotions” style to portray the inner turmoil of Anna and the intense love triangle between Anna, Karenin and Vronsky. The production features choreography by Boris Eifman, music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, set design by Zinovy Margolin, costume design by Vyacheslav Okunev, and lighting design by Gleb Filshtinsky. It has been praised for its technical mastery, innovative choreography, and its ability to deliver profound emotional impact.
In this production, Eifman focuses on the emotional and moral conflict at the heart of Tolstoy’s story, exploring Anna’s struggle between overwhelming passion and family duty through bold, highly expressive choreography. The ballet’s strong psychological dimension, often described as “psychoanalysis in motion,” resonated deeply with Indian audiences, who responded enthusiastically to its powerful staging, virtuosic ensemble work and cinematic lighting and design.
The overwhelming positive response to the ballet underscores the success of this ambitious production. Beyond being a spectacular artistic experience, the Indian debut of “Anna Karenina” marks a significant strengthening of cultural ties between Russia and India. The NCPA continues its commitment to bringing the world’s most sought-after productions to Indian audiences, establishing Mumbai as a premier destination for international performing arts.
Performed by a troupe of over 60 dancers, Anna Karenina is being brought to the NCPA through the support of Wu Promotion, a leading promoter of the performing arts in Asia and around the world. The organisation has been instrumental in facilitating tours for the Symphony Orchestra of India, the NCPA’s homegrown ensemble, in Europe and the Arab region. In addition, the NCPA has invited the China Philharmonic Orchestra and the German Bundesjugendorchester through this collaboration; ensembles that still cherish the warmth and enthusiasm of Indian audiences.
Mr. Khushroo N. Suntook, Chairman, NCPA, fondly looks back on this longstanding relationship. “For an organisation such as the NCPA, to thrive and spread its wings, it needs carefully chosen partners and collaborators, both nationally and internationally. An important association has been with our friend, Mr. Jiatong Wu. His fine organisation played a vital role in some of our orchestra’s overseas tours and now, in bringing the acclaimed ballet to the NCPA. We cherish this friendship,” he says.
With this tour, the Eifman Ballet further strengthens cultural ties between Russia and Asia, offering audiences a rare chance to witness world-class ballet theatre that combines classical excellence with contemporary psychological drama.
