At 77, Hema Malini continues to bring her passion for classical dance to the stage. The veteran actor and trained Bharatanatyam dancer recently performed her celebrated dance ballet Durga at the Classic Convention Centre in Hyderabad on October 11, 2026, marking the first day of Shardiya Navratri. Dressed as Mata Parvati, she presented a mythological performance that celebrated devotion, tradition and the enduring appeal of Indian classical dance.
The performance was part of the Agarwal Samaj, Telangana’s Agra Dandiya Navratri celebrations. The occasion also marked Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti, making the evening a special cultural gathering for the community.
Hema Malini Calls Her Durga Performance a Special Navratri Moment
Sharing photographs and her experience from the event on Instagram, Hema Malini expressed how meaningful it felt to perform Durga on the first day of Navratri. The actor described the evening as a special experience and said she felt blessed to present one of her best-known dance productions on the auspicious occasion.
In her Instagram post, she wrote, “Performed last evening at the Classic Convention Centre for the Agarwal Samaj, Telangana’s ‘Agra Dandiya Navratri celebrations’. It also marked Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti on 11.10.2026. It was a lovely, special feeling performing my most popular ballet, Durga, on the first day of Navratri, and I felt truly blessed.”
Her performance reflects a long-standing association with classical dance, an art form she has continued to pursue alongside her career in Indian cinema and public life. While Hema Malini remains widely recognised for her film roles, her stage performances have also become an important part of her artistic identity.
Hema Malini’s Lifelong Connection With Classical Dance
Hema Malini’s journey in classical dance began long before she became one of Hindi cinema’s most recognisable stars. Trained in Bharatanatyam, she has performed in productions inspired by Indian mythology, drawing on dance, music and theatrical storytelling to bring traditional narratives to life.
Her dedication to the art form extends to her family. Her daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol, are trained Odissi dancers. The three have appeared together in Parampara, a dance production presented at charitable events, and have also shared the stage at the Khajuraho Dance Festival.
Beyond Bharatanatyam, Hema has explored other classical dance traditions. She trained in Kuchipudi under Vempati Chinna Satyam and studied Mohiniyattam under Kalamandalam Guru Gopalakrishnan. Her experience across these forms has enabled her to portray a range of characters drawn from Indian epics and mythology.
Over the years, her stage repertoire has included mythological figures such as Narasimha and Rama in a production based on Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas. These performances reflect her interest in presenting traditional stories through the expressive language of classical dance.
From Durga to Sita, Hema Malini Has Portrayed Iconic Mythological Figures
Hema Malini has repeatedly returned to mythological characters throughout her stage career. In 2007, she performed in Mysuru on the eve of Dussehra, portraying Sati, Parvati and Durga. The production brought together several figures associated with Hindu mythology and the festival’s themes of devotion and the triumph of good over evil.
In 2024, she portrayed Sita in a theatrical retelling of the Ramayana during celebrations surrounding the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The performance added another significant role to her body of stage work inspired by India’s religious and cultural traditions.
Her latest appearance as Mata Parvati during Navratri continues that association. The festival honours the divine feminine and celebrates the many forms of the Goddess, making Durga a fitting production for the occasion.
At a time when she could simply be remembered for her decades in cinema, Hema Malini continues to maintain an active connection with the performing arts. Her Hyderabad appearance is another example of how classical dance remains central to her creative life, bringing together mythology, cultural heritage and live performance.
FAQs
1. What did Hema Malini perform during Navratri 2026?
Hema Malini performed her celebrated dance ballet Durga at the Classic Convention Centre in Hyderabad on October 11, 2026, portraying Mata Parvati.
2. Where did Hema Malini perform her Durga ballet?
She performed at the Classic Convention Centre in Hyderabad as part of the Agarwal Samaj, Telangana’s Agra Dandiya Navratri celebrations.
3. What did Hema Malini say about her Navratri performance?
In an Instagram post, she described performing Durga on the first day of Navratri as a special feeling and said she felt truly blessed.
4. Which classical dance form is Hema Malini trained in?
Hema Malini is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. She has also studied Kuchipudi and Mohiniyattam.
5. Are Hema Malini’s daughters classical dancers?
Yes. Esha Deol and Ahana Deol are trained Odissi dancers. They have also performed alongside their mother in dance productions.
