Kathmandu, April 19
The Nepali edition of the globally renowned dance competition World of Dance, titled World of Dance Nepal 2026, has been officially announced. The second edition of the competition was launched during a press conference held in Kathmandu on Sunday, where the judging panel, prize money, and audition dates were unveiled.
Originally launched in Southern California in 2008 and now expanded to over 50 countries, the platform aims to bring Nepali talent to the global stage.
The event featured the screening of the program’s trailer and the introduction of the judging panel. As the main highlight, renowned Bollywood choreographer Terence Lewis was announced as the “Celebrity Grand Judge.
Lewis is widely known as a judge on popular Indian reality shows like Dance India Dance and India’s Best Dancer. Organisers described his presence in Nepal as a symbol of excellence and a major inspiration for emerging dancers. Joining him on the judging panel are Kiran Thapa, a member of Wild Ripperz Crew, and JD Tamu, the artistic director of World of Dance Nepal.
Thapa has already established himself as a successful judge on major Nepali dance reality shows, while Tamu, trained at the Terence Lewis Dance Academy, has been actively working to give Nepali dancers international recognition.
Speaking at the event, Roshan Gahatraj, National Director of World of Dance Nepal, said the program was brought in with the vision of creating an international-level platform within Nepal where local dancers can celebrate their art.
Artistic Director JD Tamu added that the opportunity to bring the franchise to Nepal came after international appreciation of Nepali artists showcasing their culture abroad. He emphasised that indigenous Nepali culture and dance will remain central to the competition, and noted that Indian dancers will also be allowed to participate in the auditions.
The U.S. Embassy has also shown strong interest and collaboration in the event. Mike Harker, Public Affairs Chief at the embassy, stated that the embassy has always been a committed partner in the creative industries. He described the platform as an important opportunity for cultural exchange between the two nations and for promoting Nepali artists globally.
The press conference saw the presence of several prominent figures from Nepal’s arts sector. Actor Dayahang Rai described dance as a powerful medium of expression and encouraged emerging talents to carry their lifestyle and culture forward. Actor Buddhi Tamang emphasised that both dance and theatre have always been vehicles of art and culture.
Dancer and actor Kabita Nepali, introduced as the “Face of World of Dance Nepal,” called the platform a golden opportunity for hidden talents and urged them to prepare for the international stage. Actress and art and media ambassador Parikshya Limbu said dance is more than just entertainment; it carries a deeper meaning.
Strategic advisor and actor Prashant Tamrakar thanked the organisers for bringing such a major international championship to Nepal. Popular media personality Sisan Baniya announced that the finale of World of Dance will, for the first time globally, be broadcast on YouTube via Paradygm TV, expressing excitement with the message, “The new Nepal is here, we are coming.”
During the event, the winners’ trophy was also unveiled. Judge Kiran Thapa shared that the trophy is not only visually appealing but also plated with 24-carat gold.
The competition will be divided into four main divisions: Upper Division, Junior Division, Upper Team Division, and Junior Team Division. Winners in each category will receive a cash prize of NPR 1,00,000, a 24-carat gold-plated trophy, and various gift hampers. Additional awards will also be given for categories such as Best Costume, Best Theme, and Audience Choice.
The biggest highlight of the competition is the opportunity for winners to represent Nepal on the international stage. To include talents from across the country, auditions will be held in five cities. According to the schedule, auditions will take place in Nepalgunj on May 2, Butwal on May 5, Pokhara on May 9, Kathmandu on May 13, and Itahari on May 16.
The competitive semifinal will be held on June 4, followed by the grand finale on June 6.
