11-Hour Festival Features Lucknow and Jaipur Gharana Performances at Gyan Manch
Key Points:
- Padatik Dance Centre organizes 11-hour Kathak festival with 22 dancers
- Three sessions feature traditional bols, thumris, and ghazals performances
- Ustad Shabir Khan and Pt. Samar Saha attend as special guests
KOLKATA – Padatik Dance Centre and Anamika Kala Sangam hosted an 11-hour Kathak festival in Kolkata on November 23, featuring 22 dancers and 11 musicians.
The Kathak Marathon 2025 took place at Gyan Manch. Mrs. Chetna Jalan directed the event. Souvik Chakraborty served as artistic director.
The festival showcased both Lucknow and Jaipur gharanas. Moreover, performers presented traditional bols, thumris, and ghazals. California Television Global partnered as international media partner.
The morning session featured seven dancers. Somdatta Chatterjee opened the performance. Ahana Roy, Krishnendu Basu, and Kuhili Biswas followed.
Debarti Banerjee, Srija Biswas, and Sohini Debnath completed the morning lineup. However, each session began with group performances. Students from Padatik Dance Centre participated in opening acts.
The afternoon session included eight performers. Srijani Basu and Bipasha Sen started the program. Tanvisha Chakraborty and Ujjaini Chatterjee performed next.
Avik Chaki and Ayantika Bag presented their pieces. In addition, Dr. Sucharita Datta Ghatak performed.
The evening session featured seven renowned artists. Arpita Roy and Shubham Malik opened the finale. Sushanta Ghosh and Priyanka Saha performed subsequently.
Alokaparna Guha and Meghranjani Medhi showcased their skills. Furthermore, Rani Khanum closed the evening session. The performances spanned different classical styles.
Eleven musicians accompanied the dancers throughout the day. Vocalists included Kaberi Dutta Majumdar and Jaydeep Sinha. Dr. Arindam Bhattacharya also performed vocal pieces.
Ustad Shabir Khan led the tabla ensemble. Bishwajit Pal, Subir Thakur, and Amitankshu Brahma joined him. Pritam Polli completed the tabla section.
Chandrachur Bhattacharya played sitar for several performances. On the other hand, Sandeep Neogi provided alternate sitar accompaniment. Umesh Mishra performed on sarangi.
Pt. Samar Saha attended as special guest. Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya, the santoor maestro, also came. Pt. Shankar Narayan Swami graced the occasion.
Eminent singer Agnibha Bandyopadhyay witnessed the performances. Besides, critic Tapati Chowdhury attended the event. Guru Vidushi Susmita Misra was present.
Several other gurus attended the marathon. Kajal Misra Roy and Aloka Kanungo came. Polly Guha, Madhumita Roy, and Ashimbandhu Bhattacharya participated.
Rama Prasad Chattopadhyay and Mohana Iyer attended. Moreover, Sanchita Bhattacharya and Sushmita Banerjee witnessed the festival. Jaya Seal Ghosh also came.
Angshuman Pal represented ICCR as regional director. He supported the cultural initiative throughout the day. The organization played a crucial role.
Poulami Basak coordinated behind the scenes. Ayantika Bag and Priyanka Paul assisted her. Tiyasha Dey and Aadita Sinha contributed to planning.
Sayeri Ghosh Nandan managed logistics effectively. Furthermore, Sucharita Pal helped with arrangements. Binod Kumar Das and Rajib Ghosh provided support.
Padatik Dance Centre regularly promotes classical performing arts. The institution preserves traditional dance forms in Kolkata. It cultivates appreciation for Indian classical traditions.
Anamika Kala Sangam supports emerging classical artists. The organization conducts workshops and festivals regularly. It focuses on preserving traditional art forms.
The event follows other successful initiatives in classical dance promotion. Earlier this year, young Kathak artists received international recognition. Moreover, Kathak performances have supported social causes. Additionally, classical arts continue celebrating cultural heritage across the region.
