India’s longest-running musical ballet ‘Cinderella’ to be staged in Bengaluru

Bengaluru’s most beloved stage production is back. Prabhath Kalavidaru’s Cinderella dance drama will be staged at Ravindra Kalakshetra on June 13, 2026, bringing the fairy tale classic to a new generation of audiences.

For over 48 years and 1,000+ performances across India, the Kannada musical ballet has been “the show Bengaluru grows up on — and keeps coming back to”. First premiered in 1978, it is widely regarded as one of the longest-running stage productions in Indian theatre.

This is not a conventional play. The grand musical dance-drama uses advanced stagecraft including breathtaking UV lighting and cutting-edge 3D holograms, along with spectacular choreography. The music is rooted in the original compositions of legendary Mysore Ananthaswamy, revived for modern audiences by Praveen D. Rao, and features the timeless, soul-stirring voice of Dr. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.

The classic Western fairy tale has been reimagined with a distinct Indian soul, weaving in local characters and culture to make the story feel “like it was always ours”. Directed by T V Gopinathdas and choreographed by celebrity Hema Prabhath, the production has been modernised over generations with upgraded sets and lighting while preserving the magic that made it iconic.