The Vilasaka School of Bharatanatyam held its annual concert, Rangapravesham, at the Birla Academy of Art and Culture in Kolkata. It was a colorful celebration of Bharatanatyam, tradition, and up-and-coming talent. For young dancers, the occasion represented a significant turning point since it gave them a stage on which to showcase their artistic development and commitmen

Vilasaka School of Bharatanatyam, which was established in 2008 by Yuva Kala Bharathi Guru Ritwika Ghosh, has played a significant role in fostering young talent and advancing the rich legacy of Indian classical dance. Guru Ritwika Ghosh, a renowned practitioner of Bharatanatyam, underwent advanced training under Acharya Choodamani Kalaimamani Smt. Jayanthi Subramaniam in Chennai after receiving her basic training under the seasoned artist Smt. Ambali Praharaj in Kolkata. The renowned Padmabhushan Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan helped her hone her abhinaya, and Bhagavatula Guru Sri Seetharam Sharma oversaw her training in Nattuvangam.

Prestigious awards have been given to her for her brilliance. She has won numerous awards, including the Adwitiya Award from Anandabazar Shalimar, Kolkata, the Sanjukta Panigrahi Smriti Puraskar from Aurobindo Ashram, and the Yuva Kala Bharathi award from Bharatkalachar Chennai. Her students’ excellent performances during the concert demonstrated her dedication to pedagogy and excellence.

Chief Guests Smt. Praveena S. Kutty, a skilled Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi artist trained at Kalakshetra, Chennai, and Sri Sukumar G. Kutty, a well-known Carnatic vocalist and recipient of multiple prestigious awards in classical singing, graced the celebration. Their speech inspired both the audience and the performers, and their presence gave the event a great deal of prestige.

Shiv Vandana, Saraswati Vandana, Todiya Mangalam, Alaripu, Bho Shambho, Swagatam Krishna, Radha Samedha, Murugan Kauthuam, Bhairavi Shaktam, Thumak Chalat, and the grand finale Bhumi Mangalam were among the carefully chosen classical pieces in the program, which was led by Mrs. Ketakee Sinha. Strong technique, expressive abhinaya, precise rhythms, and a strong sense of devotion were all evident in the performances, which demonstrated the students’ intense training and maturity as artists.

Guru Ritwika Ghosh congratulated the students and gave a vote of thanks as the event came to an end, honoring not only artistic accomplishment but also the spirit of discipline and cultural continuity.

Priyanka Dutta