9 September 2024

THE 6TH RUKMINI DEVI ARUNDALE INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL: A CELEBRATION OF DANCE AND CULTURE

Kolkata witnessed a spectacular celebration of dance and culture as Sarbani Ajanta Kala Sangam, in collaboration with ICCR Kolkata, hosted the 6th Rukmini Devi Arundale International Dance Festival. This esteemed festival, renowned for showcasing young and talented artists from India and abroad, featured a diverse array of dance forms, including Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Manipuri, Satriya Nritya, and Tagore Dance. A total of 15 groups, including solo, duo and ensemble performances, graced the stage.

Esteemed Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dancer Sarbani Ghosh, the festival’s founder, resumed the event in Kolkata this year after the COVID pandemic. The festival’s revival was made even more significant as Sarbani Ghosh paid a heartfelt tribute to her revered guru, Padma Vibhushan Bharatanatyam dancer Dr. Yamini Krishnamurthy, who passed away on August 3, 2024.

Sarbani Ghosh’s association with Dr. Yamini Krishnamurthy was a defining period in her dance journey, having had the privilege of training under the legendary dancer for six years. This mentorship not only honed Sarbani’s skills but also instilled in her a deep appreciation for the art form and its rich cultural heritage.

The selection committee chose exceptional artists from Delhi, Kolkata, West Bengal, and Mumbai, as well as one distinguished performer from Germany, based on their significant contributions to the field of dance. Although the talented Kathak dancer Ms. Barkha Patel from New York was initially expected to attend, she was unable to join due to personal reasons.

The festival opened with a performance by the students of Sarbani Ajanta Kala Sangam, featuring Vishnu Stuti, which they had recently premiered at The Nehru Centre in London. The audience was then treated to a series of mesmerizing performances, including the extraordinarily talented Ms. Tatini Das and her group from Assam, specializing in Satriya Nritya, and Anusua and her group from Delhi, presenting Odissi.

Notable performances included Somabha Bandyopadhyay, daughter of Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Dr. Sruti Bandyopadhyay, in Manipuri dance, and the duo of Shayamita Dasgupta and Arnab Bandyopadhyay in Odissi. The group Manorath presented an exquisite research-based performance on Tagore’s work, while Ms. Mahul Mukherjee performed a beautiful Bharatanatyam trio. Veteran dancer Nandita Banerjee also graced the stage with her Bharatanatyam ensemble.

Young talents Sourami Mukherjee and Lavanya showcased Neo Odissi, and Mr. Kaushik Das, a disciple of Sharmila Biswas, presented a captivating solo Odissi performance. Dr. Kaberi Sen, a lecturer at Rabindra Bharati University, performed Odissi with her group, and Dr. Manab Parai from West Bengal presented Kathak with his troupe. Dr. Iliya Das Mukherjee performed a Tagore dance based on unity in diversity, and Ms. Arpita Saha and her group, disciples of Bimba Bati Devi, presented a Manipuri group performance.

The Angik group, led by Atanu Das, concluded the event with a unique and captivating performance, featuring a special highlight on the Sita Swayamvar Sabha.