Kolkata: All India Classical Dance Festival Sees Grand Confluence of Eminent Artistes, Gurus and Scholars
By Rupashree Mandal
Kolkata, June 11: The 8th All India Classical Dance Festival–2026, organised by Nrutyadham, was held with grandeur and elegance at the Satyajit Ray Auditorium of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in Kolkata on June 10.
The prestigious cultural event witnessed the participation of eminent artistes, dance gurus, scholars and connoisseurs of Indian classical dance. Distinguished guests included noted Odissi exponent and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award recipient Guru Aloka Kanungo, renowned Odissi dancer and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Guru Sharmila Biswas, Kasinath Behera, Nikanjana Ray, Secretary of the Central Committee of Sanskar Bharati, Tilak Sen Gupta, General Secretary of Sanskar Bharati, West Bengal, Anshuman Pal, Programme Officer of ICCR Kolkata, and Dr. Shubhashree Pattnaik and Rajashree Pattnaik of Nrutyadham.
The festival began with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp, followed by the felicitation of guests with bouquets and shawls. Speakers on the occasion praised Nrutyadham’s sustained efforts in preserving, promoting and disseminating India’s rich heritage of classical dance and culture.
The evening opened with a spellbinding Odissi recital by Padma Shri awardee Geeta Mahalik. She first presented Krishna Smruti, a devotional composition that created a spiritually uplifting atmosphere in the auditorium. This was followed by the expressive abhinaya Ghata Prasanga, based on a composition by poet Banamali Das and set to Raga Bhima Palas and Khemta Tala. Through nuanced expressions and graceful movements, Mahalik portrayed Radha recounting Krishna’s playful mischief and divine love, captivating the audience throughout the performance.
In recognition of her lifelong dedication and outstanding contribution to Indian classical dance, Nrutyadham conferred upon Geeta Mahalik the Nrutyakala Lifetime Achievement Award.
Another major highlight of the festival was the compelling Odissi presentation by Dr. Shubhashree Pattnaik, an acclaimed dancer, scholar and recipient of several fellowships from the Ministry of Culture. She performed Kunti, a poignant dance-drama choreographed by Padma Shri Guru Durga Charan Ranbir. The production vividly portrayed the emotional anguish of Kunti as she parts with her newborn son Karna, moving the audience with its depth and sensitivity.
The festival concluded with impressive group performances by Season Nrutyalaya under the direction of Guru Aloka Kanungo and Angik Performing Arts. Their Bharatanatyam presentation received enthusiastic applause from the audience, bringing the grand celebration of India’s classical dance traditions to a memorable close.
