G. L. Mehta Foundation & Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan organised NRITYA GATHA; Read full details here

The 2nd edition of the Dance Drama Festival 2023 “NRITYA GATHA” jointly organised by G. L. Mehta Foundation and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kolkata was held from 3rd November, 2023 to 5th November, 2023 at G. D. Birla Sabhaghar, Kolkata.

The Dance Drama Festival was a bouquet of a variety of classical dance forms like Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kathakali along with Uday Sankar dance form, “Nava Nritya” and “MargaNatya”.

3rd November, 2023:

The programme started with the lamp lighting ceremony by Smt. Sipra Mehta of G. L. Mehta Foundation and Dr. G. V. Subramanian and Smt. Sujata Ghosh, Director and Deputy Director respectively of BharatiyaVidyaBhavan, Kolkata.

The inauguration programme was followed by ‘ThinaiInai Charam’(Garland of five lands) presented by Kalashristikalakars, choreographed and directed by Smt. Sujatha Ramalingam – a Bharatnatyam dance drama production based on the conventions of Sangam poets of Tamil literature with Agam aspect. The scintillating performance which was a combination of rhythm and expressions depicting union, separation, waiting and wailing of love.

The 2nd presentation was “Chitrangada” based on Tagore’s narrative verse and dance drama by Dancers’ Guild recasting Chitrangada in a contemporary mould establishing self ruling and independent identity of a woman.Directed by Jonaki Sarkar,it was a dance theatre with a difference. Aishika Chakraborty’s creative choreography and set design kept the audience spellbound.

4th November, 2023:

The evening started with “Rasavat'' presented by Angashuddhiunder the able guidance of Smt. Shashwati Garai Ghosh and her troupe. Rasavat, sought to bind the threads of human emotions that are universal namely invocation, specialisation, internalisation and the continuing celebrations of our daily existence. The four dance pieces –Jaya Deva Hare, GamanaGati, Yashodha’s Ramayana and Mahamayawere beautifully executed.

The 2nd programme of the day was “Kshatraa Baalaa”- a story of great woman who sacrificed their soldier husbands, the great martyrs of our nation and devoted rest of their lives for the cause of the nation.Choreographed, directed and performed by Kathakali exponent, Sri Prabal Gupta with his outstanding expertise, the production was commissioned by SZCC to commemorate 75 years of independence of India.

The 3rd programme of the day was “Moonstruck” by Kathak exponent Shri Ashimbandhu Bhattacharjee and his troupe, Upasana Centre for Dance. A story of Moon’s and Man’s life which oscillates between godliness and vileness. A brilliantly designed production with well-crafted script left the audience in awe.

5th November, 2023:

The programme on the last day of Nritya Gatha started with “Sabari”, choreographed and directed by Smt. Mamata Shankar, the renowned Indian actress and dancer. The production is the story of Sabari, the daughter of a hunter, belonging to Nishaad, a character of the epic Ramayana, who was a great devotee of Lord Ram. A vibrant production with a cohesive melodious rapport in choreography and spectacular lights (by Ratul Shankar). Smt. Mamata Shankar as an aged, fragile, devoted Sabari showed her acting prowess in every member in her movements till the end when her soul merges with the Lord. The audience’s heartfelt appreciation filled the auditorium.

The second edition of Nritya Gatha concluded with a unique theatrical dance drama “Samvatsar Katha'' directed and choreographed by Sri. Piyal Bhattacharya, a Researcher of Natya Shastra and presented by the dancers of Chidakash Kalalay, an institution committed to preserve and serve the traditional art and culture. An array of rare mediaeval dhrupad songs weaves binding threads for the production and use of rare musical instruments such as Dhrupadi Rabab, Kinnari Veena, 22 stringed Mattakokila Veena etc, dancers sang, danced and delivered dialogue had created a unique ambiance to enthral the audience completely.

For all the three days, the packed hall and the frequent rolls of applause were ample proof of the success of the programmes.