Bharat Nrityotsav 2026 Celebrates Indian Dance in Kolkata

Anand Sangha hosts festival at Uttarpara featuring multiple classical forms

Key Points:

• Kathak exponent Anurekha Ghosh inaugurates festival at Uttarpara Ganabhaban
• Artists perform Kathak, Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Manipuri, and folk dances
• California Television Global telecasts event across 15 countries globally

KOLKATA – Anand Sangha organized Bharat Nrityotsav 2026 in Kolkata on January 21. The festival featured classical and folk dance performances by artists.

The cultural organization held the event at Uttarpara Ganabhaban. The programme aimed at promoting India’s diverse dance heritage. Moreover, S.M.B. Foundation collaborated in organizing the festival.

The foundation is a self-financed non-governmental organization. It has recognition from the Government of India. Meanwhile, Anurekha Ghosh formally inaugurated the festival on Tuesday.

She is an internationally acclaimed Kathak exponent. Indra Roy also graced the inaugural session as chief guest. However, Roy is a Kathak dancer accredited by Doordarshan.

Monotosh Mukherjee could not attend the event in person. He serves as General Secretary of Dover Lane Music Conference. Nevertheless, he conveyed his greetings through a special message.

“The festival serves as a significant platform for artists,” organizers said. The message was shared during the programme by coordinators. In addition, the event showcased various dance traditions comprehensively.

Artists presented performances in Kathak, Odissi, and Bharatanatyam styles. They also performed Manipuri, Rabindra Nritya, and Folk dances. Furthermore, creative dance forms received appreciation from the audience.

Nataraj Dance Academy presented a group Kathak performance at the cultural programme. Srijita Sadhu, Anshika Das, and Disha Sengupta performed individually. On the other hand, Rishita Moitra and Pranab Majumder showcased their talent.

Trisha Dance Mandir participated with a group performance as well. Dev Leena Lahiri and Sonakshi Chatterjee performed in the festival. Besides, Prosenjit Biswas presented his dance before the audience.

Nritanjali Dance Academy contributed with a group performance at the dance event. Antara Das, Tanuruchi Chanda, and Ridhi Joshi performed solo items. Meanwhile, Sayantika Parija and Santoshi Naik also participated in performances.

Crazy Movers Dance Academy presented a group dance form. Akarshika Sahu and Sourav Manna performed at the festival too. In contrast, Trisha Thakur showcased her dancing skills before spectators.

Subhashree Mishra participated in the event with her performance. Upasana presented a group dance item at the programme. Moreover, several other artists contributed to the festival’s success.

Sayanti Chatterjee supervised the overall coordination of the event. Sourasish Chatterjee also played a crucial role in coordination efforts. However, their combined efforts ensured smooth execution of the programme.

California Television Global will telecast selected highlights of the festival. The international channel reaches audiences across 15 countries worldwide. Furthermore, this will enhance global visibility of Indian dance traditions.

The festival provided a platform for established artists nationwide. It also benefited emerging dancers seeking recognition in performances. On the other hand, Anand Sangha reaffirmed commitment to performing arts.

The event highlighted the city’s dedication to cultural preservation. Similar dance festivals have been organized in the region previously. Besides, cultural programmes continue to strengthen artistic traditions in West Bengal.