New Delhi, August 2025 – The Praroha Dance Festival, curated and directed by Odissi exponent Guru Arunima Ghosh, concluded with splendour at Alliance Française, New Delhi. The evening left the audience spellbound with the grace, rhythm, and devotion of Odissi as students of the Manasija School of Dance and Music carried forward the spirit of tradition, blending discipline and artistry into a mesmerizing performance.
The festival was graced by eminent personalities from the world of art and culture, including Vidushi Sharon Lowen (renowned Odissi Guru), Guru Prafulla Mangaraj (eminent Pakhawaj artist), Dr. Tapan Mukherjee (Vice President, Bengal Association), Qazi M. Raghib (Art Critic), Kosal Kumar (Sculptor), Dwaipayan Das (Kathak Exponent), and Mannu Kohli (Manager, Routes2Roots). Their presence added warmth and inspiration to the occasion, honouring the dedication of the young performers.
The evening opened with “Veena Vadini Var De, Var De, Var De”, based on a celebrated poem by Hindi literary icon Suryakant Tripathi ‘Nirala’. Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and choreographed by Guru Sharon Lowen, the piece set a divine and auspicious tone for the festival.
What followed was a bouquet of evocative Odissi presentations:
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“Abhyas” – choreographed by Arunima Ghosh, capturing the discipline of daily practice through Odissi’s foundational vocabulary.
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“Batu” – a pure dance inspired by Odisha’s temple sculptures, choreographed by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra with music by Pandit Bhubaneswar Mishra.
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“Moli Mala Shyamaku Debi” – an Odia abhinaya evoking Radha’s tender emotions, choreographed by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.
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“Nritya Leela” – a lyrical piece in Raga Rageshri, showcasing the sculptural elegance of Odissi.
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“Jagannath Ashtakam” – the revered Sanskrit hymn by Adi Shankaracharya, choreographed by Arunima Ghosh with music by Guru Prafulla Mangaraj and Shri Sukant Nayak.
Each performance unfurled like a blossom — intricate in rhythm, rich in expression, and steeped in spiritual essence — reminding the audience of the timeless depth of Odissi.
Reflecting on the success of the festival, curator Arunima Ghosh shared:
“Praroha is not just a celebration of our students’ artistry, but a confluence of tradition and modernity brought alive on stage. Watching them blossom in front of such an appreciative audience was deeply fulfilling.”
The festival concluded with heartfelt applause, affirming Praroha as both a tribute to heritage and a promise of the future of Indian classical dance.
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