Kolkata: As the sun dipped below the horizon of the City of Joy on Saturday, the Behala Sarat Sadan auditorium came alive with an air of rhythm, devotion and artistic excellence as Thakurpukur Chidananda Dance Academy, one of the premier Bharatanatyam dance institutions in the state, held its second edition of Onkuran, a vibrant showcase of Indian classical dance.
Founded by celebrated Bharatanatyam exponent and mentor Guru Smt Prerna Gangopadhyay, Thakurpukur Chidananda Dance Academy has steadily established itself as a cradle nurturing young talents and providing a stage to young and upcoming artistes to showcase their talents alongside established dancers. Trained under Smt. Vanitha Ravi Shankar and Sri P. T. Narendran, Guru Prerna’s artistic vision is deeply rooted in the academy’s guiding philosophy—”Dance is Devotion.”
The evening got off to an auspicious start with the academy’s president Smt. Ivy Ray, vice president Smt. Pampa Ghosh, secretary Smt. Sarmistha Gangopadhyay and assistant secretary Amitava Gangopadhyay, offering flowers at the lotus feet of Lord Nataraj and Lord Jagannath. Guru Prerna also shared the dais.
The curtain rose with a scintillating Alarippu, the traditional opening piece of the Bharatanatyam margam. Set to Tisra Jaathi Eka Thalam, the pure dance piece was presented by the academy’s ‘Natya Nidhi’ batch students, displaying remarkable precision, symmetry and discipline, reflecting the rigorous training imparted by the institution.
The following item was ‘Narthana Ganapatim’, a revered classical invocation to Lord Ganesha, popular in Bharatanatyam dance programmes. Set to Ragam Nata and Adi Thalam and choreographed by Guru Prerna, the item was presented by ‘Natya Kusuma’ batch of Thakurpukur Chidananda Dance Academy. It stood out for its graceful mudras, poised movements and expressive choreography, making it a visual treat for both trained and untrained eyes.
The art lovers were then treated to another excellent performance ‘Nagendra Haraya’, based on 8th century Sanskrit hymn composed by JagatGuru Adi Shankaracharya. Set to Khanda Chapu thalam, and choreographed by Guru Prerna, the piece, presented by the academy’s ‘Natya Bindu’ batch students, narrated different aspects of Lord Shiva. The artistes’ impeccable synchronisation, confident stage presence and evocative storytelling left the audience captivated.
The devotional mood continued with ‘Swagatham Krishna’, one of the most beloved and celebrated compositions in Carnatic music and Indian classical dance. Composed by great poet Venkatasubba Iyer, set to Ragam Mohana, Adi Thalam and choreographed by Guru Prerna, the piece was brought alive by the academy’s chiseled dancers of ‘Natya Nidhi’ batch of the academy. The artistes’ crisp footwork, expressive abhinaya and infectious energy earned sustained applause.
The fifth presentation ‘Mallari’, showcased the grandeur and rhythmic vitality of Bharatanatyam’s pure dance tradition. Choreographed by Guru Prerna and performed by the academy’s ‘Natya Bindu’ batch students, the piece left the audience captivated with its commanding movements and intricate rhythmic patterns.
Keeping the evening’s momentum alive, the academy’s ‘Natya Kusuma’ batch students presented ‘Jatiswaram’, one of the major items in a traditional Bharatanatyam margam. Set to Ragam Vasantha, Thalam Rupakam, the piece seamlessly blended melody and rhythm, leaving connoisseurs thoroughly enthralled.
In the next item, the emotional tenor of the evening shifted with ‘Thumaka Chalata Ramachandra’, the celebrated composition of saint-poet Tulsidas. Choreographed by Guru Prerna, the academy’s ‘Natya Bindu’ batch students beautifully portrayed the playful childhood of Lord Rama, bringing alive the tenderness of vatsalya rasa.
Thanks to their expressive performance, the art lovers found themselves in the divine world of the young prince of Ayodhya.
The devotional fervour continued with ‘Chandra Chuda’, the soul stirring Kannada devotional composition written by Sant Purandara Dasa in praise of Lord Shiva. Set to Thalam Adi and choreographed by Guru Prerna, the piece was performed by the academy’s ‘Natya Kusuma’ batch artistes, narrating the divine attributes of Lord Shiva. The perfection of abhinaya shone through the presentation, reflecting months of meticulous preparation.
Offering a refreshing change in mood, ‘RituRanga – Season’s Play’ celebrated the changing seasons through choreographic interpretations of Rabindranath Tagore’s timeless compositions. Seamlessly blending dance, poetry and music, the segment added a distinctly Bengali flavour to the evening while showcasing the versatility of the academy’s repertoire.
The festival concluded on a stirring devotional note with ‘Mahisasura Mardini’, the traditional mythological tale depicting the triumph of Goddess Durga over the demon king Mahisasura.
Through powerful movement, expressive abhinaya and dynamic choreography, the academy’s performers brought alive the timeless tale vividly to life, culminating in a finale that drew prolonged applause and left the audience asking for an encore.
More than a cultural evening, Onkuran–II emerged as a heartfelt celebration of Bharatanatyam, literature, mythology and spiritual devotion.
It reaffirmed the academy’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of classical dancers while preserving and presenting India’s rich cultural heritage with artistic integrity and sensitivity.
