Gurugram: The celebratory atmosphere was palpable at the National Media Centre in Gurugram as Aarohan 2025, a national-level classical dance and cultural competition organised by Kala Kalp Sanskrutik Sansthan (KKSS), a Gurugram-based cultural body, founded by eminent Odissi dancer Dr (Ms) Atasi Misra, unfolded with pomp and splendour, turning the event into a veritable celebration of India’s artistic heritage.
Nearly 200 participants from across the country descended upon the venue, each vying to steal the limelight and walk away with the coveted laurels.
This national-level talent hunt, organized by the KKSS since 2019, has been a much-awaited talent hunt. While the earlier competitions were held on online mode, this year marked a hybrid mode with both online and offline platforms, drawing over 300 additional entries for the online segment on September 3.
While there are three categories like junior, senior and super senior, the competitions are held in all eight classical dance forms (Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Sattriya), classical instruments and music, folk dance, tribal dance and yoga, making a melting pot of traditional artistry.
The artistes and yoga practitioners eagerly wait for this annual talent hunt. This year, the enthusiasm with which the participants participated was seen to be believed.
Gracing the event as the Chief Guest, Prof. K. Anil Kumar, HOD, Janapada Sampada Division, IGNCA, hailed the KKSS’s initiative.
The event also witnessed Ms. Sucharita Sarangi, Additional Resident Commissioner, Odisha Bhawan, New Delhi; Ms Simmi Narula, All India Airport Authority & Secretary, Kalyanmaye Women Welfare Association; Sri Raja Talukdar, CEO of Media House and Sri Nitish Dhingra, social activist attending as Honourable Guests.
Similarly, the jury comprised stalwarts of Indian performing arts, including Sobha Banerjee (Bharatanatyam dancer), Govind Mahato (Seraikella Chhau dancer), Abhipsa Dash (Odissi dancer & vocalist), Poonam Taneja (Kathak dancer), and Reela Hota (Odissi dancer & Author).
And, the judges for the September 3 event will be noted Odissi dancers Guru Suprava Mishra from Gujarat, Guru Jyoti Rout from USA, Guru Sangeeta Sen from Delhi and Guru Nirmal Srestha from Nepal.
Speaking at the event, Dr (Ms) Misra described Aarohan as ‘a journey to protect and nurture India’s divine art forms, which are not mere performances but living expressions of devotion and spirituality’. “Our heritage must be celebrated, protected, and handed down with reverence,” she added.
Echoing her sentiment, Mohit Madhav, Vice President of KKSS and RSS functionary, said, “Every mudra, every note, every yogic posture embodies India’s deep-rooted culture. Aarohan is our way of rekindling this glory and reconnecting society with its roots.”
According to Dr (Ms) Misra, the founder director of the KKSS, the winners will be awarded at the KKSS’s annual festival ‘Parijaat Mahotsav’ to be held at Lajpat Bhawan auditorium, New Delhi, on September 13.
Alongside, two budding artistes below 18 will be bestowed with the ‘Parijaat Ankur Award’, while four young talents aged 18–30 will be felicitated with the ‘Parijaat Samman’.
Adding strength to the endeavour, Sudesna Mishra, Assistant Director, is playing a pivotal role in making the festival a grand success.
With each passing year, Aarohan has grown beyond the contours of a competition. Today, it is envisioned as nothing less than a cultural yajna, reaffirming that in India, art is not just entertainment—it is worship.
