Boris Eifman Ballet debuts in India supported by Sber

Dec 6: India will host the Boris Eifman Ballet for the first time, with performances of “Anna Karenina” taking place in Mumbai on December 8, 9, and 10. Backed by Sber as the general sponsor, the renowned troupe will stage its acclaimed ballet at Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, the central venue of the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA). More than 3,000 tickets sold out in mere days.

Alexander Vedyakhin, first deputy chairman of the Executive Board, Sberbank:

“Sber has operated in India for 15 years, and we view strengthening cultural ties between countries as part of our mission. Dialogue helps us better understand each other. We are delighted that our sponsorship will allow Indian audiences to appreciate a masterpiece of Russian ballet artistry. I believe this represents systematic work for Sber. In October, at the bank’s invitation, Indian artist Varun Desai visited Russia to exhibit his multimedia installation ‘Just in Time,’ celebrating connections between the two countries. We aim to bring together the peoples of Russia and India, building bridges not only in business but also in culture.”

Set to music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Anna Karenina has graced stages since 2005. Over the past two decades, the performance has filled halls in Russia, the US, Australia, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, France, China, and elsewhere. In this piece, choreographer Boris Eifman explores the love triangle involving Anna, Vronsky, and Karenin, delving into Anna’s inner turmoil, portraying her as both a refined socialite and a woman consumed by passion. Highly acclaimed by critics worldwide, the psychological ballet has earned prestigious awards.

Boris Eifman, artistic director of the Boris Eifman Ballet Theater and president of the Boris Eifman Dance Academy:

“In today’s complicated circumstances, establishing a unified global cultural environment is crucial. My goal is to cultivate this through ballet. Dance speaks a universally understood language, transcending religious and political divides.”

Earlier this year, the theater performed in Uzbekistan, Turkey, Belarus, Israel, and kicked off a massive Asian tour in early November. Following India, the troupe travels to Africa, where they’ll present the comedic ballet The Pygmalion Effect.