Kolkata: The City of Joy’s art aficionados were treated to an evening of sheer aesthetic splendour and delight as Shinjan Nrityalaya, one of the premier Odissi dance institutions in India founded by celebrated Odissi exponent Guru Aloka Kanungo, marked three decades of artistic excellence with the presentation of the captivating Odissi dance drama ‘Shakti’ at Madhusudan Manch on June 27.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the auditorium came alive with an air of devotion and eager anticipation.
The evening unfolded on an uplifting note as four graceful dancers Arjama Kundu, Paulami Chakraborty, Sarbani Sen and Swaralipi Roy presented ‘Vande Mataram’, in a fitting tribute to its writer, the legendary litterateur and patriot Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyaya, whose birth anniversary had been observed a day earlier on June 26.
Choreographed by Guru Smt Aloka Kanungo with music composed by Himansu Swain and Buddhanath Swain, the piece stood out for its thoughtful symbolism. Using pieces of colourful clothes representing the three colours of the National Flag, the dancers portrayed the harmonious coexistence of Hinduism, Christianity and Islam.
The perfect synchronisation and effortless coordination among the dancers made it a treat for both trained and untrained eyes, setting the stage for a memorable evening.
The momentum continued with ‘Trikhandi Pranam’, penned and choreographed by Guru Smt Aloka Kanungo in the Nabakshyari Gurjjari Bruta – Bhagabat style. The performance by tiny tots- Aradhya Goswami, Aaradhyika Sarkar, Alipriya Pal, Debsmita Das, Ishani Pal, Janhavi Biswas and Sobhini Roy Ghosh- proved that age is no bar when dedication meets disciplined training. The item stood out for the artistes’ brilliance performance, reflecting the quality of grooming imparted at Shinjan Nrityalaya.
Keeping the momentum alive, the same quartet that opened the evening returned with pure dance item ‘Tara Pallavi’, set to Raga Tara, Tala Ektali. Choreographed by guru Smt Aloka Kanungo with music composed by Sangeeta Panda and rhythm by Guru Dhaneswar Swain, the piece was a masterclass in sculptural poses, excellent footwork and razor sharp precision. It was a visual delight indeed.
The spotlight was then shifted to the inauguration ceremony, followed by the felicitation ceremony.
Deputy director of EZCC Dr Tapas Samantaray and former The Statesman editor Swapan Mallick graced the occasion as the esteemed guests who inaugurated the evening by lighting the auspicious lamp.
Next, the prestigious ‘Ratnaloka Samman’, sponsored by Kalangan School of Odissi, founded in Houston, America by eminent Odissi dancer Supradipta Dhar in 2003, was conferred on Padma Shri Guru Durga Charan Ranbir. The award carried a purse of Rs 50,000, a citation, a shawl and a lucky Bamboo Sapling.
In his address, Guru Ranbir heaped praise on Shinjan Nrityalaya for its unwavering commitment to preserving the purity of the Odissi tradition through systematic training. He lauded its founder Guru Smt Aloka Kanungo for her tireless efforts to preserve and promote the art form and urged the fellow gurus to safeguard the style in its pristine form for the generations to come.
Following the formal proceedings, the cultural programme resumed with pure dance items ‘Basant Pallavi’ and ‘Batu’ by Aradhya Goswami, Aaradhyika Sarkar, Alipriya Pal, Debsmita Das, Ishani Pal, Janhavi Biswas, Sobhini Roy Ghosh, Mira Bella Mukherjee, Sanvika Pal, Tanisha Roy and Sammyukta. Their spirited performances earned warm appreciation from the art lovers.
What came next was the crown of the evening.
The Shinjan Nrityalaya ensemble featuring well-trained Arjama Kundu, Atri Banerjee, Malancha Dasgupta, ManishaParua, Nivedita Daw Datta, Paulami Chakraborty, Sapatamita Das Biswas, Sarbani Sen, Sriparna Bose and Swaralipi Roy came with a spectacular production ‘Shakti’.
With concept, research, choreography, direction and costume design by Guru Smt Aloka Kanungo, the production explored the eternal philosophy that creation, preservation and dissolution are all driven by ‘Shakti’, the formidable cosmic energy. It portrayed the many facets of womanhood—gentle as a mother, wife, daughter and sister, yet capable of unleashing unimaginable power when confronted with injustice.
Breathed life into the powerful episode of Sati, the dancers beautifully depicted the episode where she assumes the forms of Mahavidyas to convince Shiva that she can take care of herself before sacrificing herself in protest against the dishonor inflicted upon her husband.
The performers rose to the occasion with compelling expressions and commanding stage presence, doing full justice to the intricate choreography.
Another feather to the production’s cap was the imaginative use of ‘Sabdas’ from ‘Sabda Nritya’ alongside the incorporation of ‘Ravana Chhaya’, a dying art form Shadowy puppetry of Odisha, which was projected onto the cyclorama at the back of the stage. The innovative use of classical dance and traditional art forms showcased Guru Smt Aloka Kanungo’s creative vision and deep cultural scholarship.
The artistes’ seamless entries and exits, immaculate permutations and combinations and neat presentation left the art lovers and common audience remained rooted in their seats from beginning to end, leaving a lasting impression long after the curtains fell.
The production featured music composed by Guru Ramhari Das, rhythm by Guru Dhaneswar Swain, light design by Dinesh Poddar, sound design by Hashi Panchal, illustrations by Guru Smt Aloka Kanungo and Dinanath Pathy and special effects and graphics by Supriya Mukherjee and Rajat Nandy. Together, they wove a rich tapestry that raised the visual and emotional appeal of the performance.
The audience left the auditorium carrying home vivid memories of an evening where tradition, devotion and artistic excellence mixed in perfect harmony.
Guru Smt Aloka Kanungo received her initially training under Guru Raghunath Dutta and Guru Mayadhar Raut, before further honing her skills under the watchful eyes of legendary Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.
Over the past three decades, her institution Shinjan Nrityalaya has emerged as more than just a dance institution. It has become a nurturing ground where budding dancers grow into accomplished performers, choreographers and teachers. As a result, many of its dancers have become established solo dancers and earned scholarships and fellowships from Department of Culture, Government of India.
The institution’s acclaimed ensemble has performed at several prestigious festivals including Khajuraho Festival, Konark Festival, Soorya Festival, Nisagandhi Festival, Kalakshetra Festival and many more, besides representing Indian classical dance on international stages in America, Australia, Nepal, Senegal and other parts of West Africa.
photo courtesy: Shinjan Nrityalaya
