Bangalore Central Campus

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Performing Arts (Bharatanatyam,
Carnatic Music & Theatre)

Open from: 08-Jul-2026 | Open until: 15-Sep-2026

0
Semester
0
Specialisations
0 Yrs
Duration
Top 50
B-School India
Applications OpenUntil 15-Sep-2026
Programme Overview

About the Programme

The Department of Performing Arts offers a Doctoral programme in three major categories: Dance, Music and Theatre. Scholars are invited to pursue their doctorate in a diverse range of research fields within Performing Arts. 
 
Theatre and Performance Studies offers an interdisciplinary and practice-oriented environment for advanced research into theatre, performance, and their wider social, cultural, and political contexts. The programme encourages diverse and emerging methodologies, including practice as research, performance ethnography, historiography, archival research, dramaturgy, scenography, and embodied and performative methodologies. It welcomes research engaging with postdramatic and contemporary performance practices, new approaches to acting and performer training, devised and collaborative practices, and evolving forms of dramaturgy and scenography. The programme also supports critical enquiries into caste, race, gender, indigeneity, marginality, cultural memory, and politics of representation through postcolonial and decolonial approaches. Bringing theatre and performance into dialogue with anthropology, history, cultural studies, sociology, and related disciplines, the programme encourages theoretically rigorous and critically engaged research that responds to changing artistic practices and contributes to new understandings of performance, society, and culture.
 
Classical Music bridges historical scholastic theory (Lakshana) with contemporary performance practice (Lakshya). The program develops dual competencies by integrating classical textual criticism and manuscript studies with modern computational acoustic tools . The program goes beyond standard music studies by exploring how music connects to psychology, human health, history, and culture. Scholars also learn how to conduct hands-on field research across various environments, from traditional temple rituals to modern concert halls. Ultimately, CHRIST trains student-performers to blend live music with deep academic research, turning rich artistic traditions into published scholarly work.
 
Dance Studies provides a space for advanced scholarly and creative exploration of dance as an artistic practice, embodied knowledge, and cultural expression. The programme encourages original research that connects theory, practice, history, and contemporary developments in dance.
Research may focus on Indian classical traditions such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, and Sattriya, alongside folk, ritual, community, contemporary, and experimental dance practices. Areas of inquiry may include dance history and aesthetics, choreography, pedagogy and training, performance practice, music and movement, embodiment, documentation, transmission of tradition, and evolving forms of dance.
The programme also invites critical and interdisciplinary research examining body, identity, gender, caste, community, cultural memory, heritage, representation, and changing social contexts. Drawing on disciplines such as performance studies, anthropology, history, cultural studies, and sociology, the programme supports innovative research that contributes to both dance scholarship and contemporary artistic practice.

Admissions

Eligibility & Fee Structure

Eligibility Criteria
Fee Structure (Indicative)
From the Department

Message from the HOD

HOD Name
Department of Performing Arts, Theatre and Music)
Bangalore Central Campus

The Departments of Performing Arts, Music and Theatre is more than just a collection of courses; it's a community dedicated to fostering talent, nurturing artistic expression, and exploring the boundless possibilities of performance. As a member of this department, you will discover the many opportunities and explore the new possibilities to touch the zenith of your talents. 

The course is intrinsically woven to create a unique blend of theory and performances, giving space for every aspect of the field to be shaped. The skill building workshops

Read more...

Department of Performing Arts, Theatre and Music, Bangalore Central Campus
How to Join

Admission Process

1
Register
  • Register with your Email ID
  • Login to the Admission Portal
2
Apply Online
  • Fill the Application Form
  • Pay Application Fee
3
Entrance Test
  • Entrance Test (If Applicable)
  • Assessment
  • Interview
4
Result
  • Check login page for result
  • If selected, Offer Letter attached
5
Fee Payment
  • Pay Course Fee Online
  • Complete Admission Process
Ready to Apply?

Applications for the 2026 batch are open. Deadline: 15-Sep-2026.

CHRIST
(Deemed to be University)

Dharmaram College Post, Hosur Road, Bengaluru - 560029, Karnataka, India

Tel: +91 80 4012 9100 / 9600

Fax: +91 80 4012 9000

Email: mail@christuniversity.in

Web: https://www.christuniversity.in

Vision

EXCELLENCE AND SERVICE

Mission

CHRIST (Deemed to be University) is a nurturing ground for an individual's holistic development to make effective contribution to the society in a dynamic environment.

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