The G.L. Mehta Foundation and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan organized the captivating dance festival Nrityagatha, which took place in Kolkata, India’s cultural center. Featuring well-known dancers like Mallika Sarabhai, Shobhana, Aruna Mohanty, and others, the three-day festival highlighted India’s rich classical dance tradition.

The highlight of the first day was Mallika Sarabhai’s enthralling rendition of “Past Forward”. Her Bharatanatyam performance reflected the evolving roles of women in Indian society by skillfully fusing traditional and modern themes. Mallika‘s performance served as both a call to action and a demonstration of artistic brilliance. She underlined how important it is for women to express their freedom and overcome social norms. She urged, “We need to wake up,” “Girls are raised differently than boys, and it’s time to change this mindset.”

Shobhana’s exquisite Bharatanatyam performance on the second day mesmerized the audience with its grace and accuracy.

Shubhajit Das’s “Manasa” and the Jalsa Chandra Performing Troupe’s “Agni – The Bird of Fire” both gave outstanding performances on the last day. The variety and depth of Indian classical dance were demonstrated by these performances.

“Nrityagatha” has made a name for itself in Kolkata’s cultural scene in just three years. The success of the event rests in its capacity to make classical dance more widely available and pleasurable for everyone.

With the conclusion of this year’s Nrityagatha, the audience is excitedly anticipating the following one, which promises to be yet another enthralling celebration of India’s rich classical dance legacy.

Priyanka Dutta