200 Artists to Perform at Shantiniketan’s Two-Day Basanta Utsav Dance Fest

Niharika Centre for Performing Arts to Present Spring-Themed Classical Dance at Kopai on March 21-22

Key Points:

• Around 200 artists to participate in two-day festival at Kopai, Shantiniketan
• Solo, duet and group performances scheduled across two daily sessions
• Selected segments to be telecast in 15 countries via California Television

SHANTINIKETAN – A two-day Basanta Utsav Dance Festival is being organised at Kopai, Shantiniketan, under the banner of Niharika Centre for Performing Arts, a Kolkata-based classical dance institution, on March 21 and 22.

The festival is spearheaded by renowned Bharatanatyam exponent Dr. Arkadev Bhattacharya. Around 200 dancers will take part. Their performances will be centred on the theme of Basanta, the season of spring.

The programme is structured into two daily sessions. The first runs from noon to 2:00 PM. It will feature solo and duet dance presentations. The second session, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, will feature group dance performances. In total, the festival will cover solo, duet, and group formats across both days.

A distinguished roster of guests will be present at the event. They include Rhitobroto Bhattacharya, noted news reader and film director, and Joy Gopal Dutta, Director of Doordarshan Kendra, Shantiniketan. Also attending will be Amit Adhikary, Director of SRIJANI, a unit of EZCC Shantiniketan, and Shri Kalikrishna Bhattacharya, Founder and Director of Srijan. Moreover, Basanta Mukherjee, a professor of Manipuri Dance at Visva Bharati University, will grace the occasion. An eminent Shantiniketan sculptor is also expected to attend.

A special addition to the guest list involves the world of music. Priyam and Ritapa, accomplished Rabindra Sangeet singers, are listed among the guests. They are nephews of the late legendary singer Kanika Bandyopadhyay, a towering figure in Bengali classical music. This classical arts festival follows a tradition of prestigious cultural events in the region.

“Events like this are vital for nurturing the next generation of classical artists,” said a knowledgeable source associated with the organising team.

In addition, selected portions of the event will be broadcast globally through California Television. The telecast will reach audiences in 15 countries. The international reach gives the festival a prominence well beyond its venue. Similar ambitions were seen at dance academy events in Kolkata earlier this year. Such cultural initiatives continue to promote classical dance traditions across a global platform.

The Niharika Centre for Performing Arts, the organiser, has a track record of promoting Indian classical dance. Dr. Bhattacharya’s efforts represent a consistent drive. His work in linking India’s performing arts heritage with contemporary audiences has drawn wide recognition. The spirit of cultural celebration that this festival embodies echoes a wider revival of live arts events across the region.