Jalpaiguri: Rabindra Bhavan Auditorium, Jalpaiguri, came alive with rhythm, reverence, and refined artistry as the much-awaited Knuri–Buds Dance Festival, organised by Charukriti Dance Education Centre, unfolded into an evening of classical splendour on January 24.
More than a cultural programme, the festival emerged as a thoughtful celebration of tradition, pedagogy, and artistic integrity—where young aspirants shared the stage with some of the finest names in Indian classical dance.
The presence of Padma Shri Niranjan Goswami, the iconic mime maestro and Artistic Dignitary of the evening, lent the festival immense gravitas. Equally enriching was the presence of Professor Sreemayi Vempati, the eminent Kuchipudi exponent and scholar, whose lifelong contribution to Indian dance is revered both nationally and internationally. With such stalwarts in attendance, the auditorium truly resembled a constellation of cultural luminaries.
At the heart of this vibrant initiative stands Smt. Debdatta Lahiri, founder and guiding force of Charukriti—an acclaimed Odissi and Rabindra dance exponent and a dedicated mentor. Under her disciplined yet sensitive tutelage, Charukriti has grown into a centre of excellence with recognition far beyond Jalpaiguri. Her teaching philosophy extends well beyond performance success, emphasising character, restraint, discipline, and aesthetic awareness. The Knuri–Buds Dance Festival, meticulously curated under her leadership, reflected this holistic vision in every segment.
The evening got off to a fine start with a group Odissi Vandana by Charukriti students—an invocation marked by purity of form, rhythmic precision, and striking ensemble harmony. Choreographed by Debdatta Lahiri, the presentation immediately set the tone, revealing the rigour and depth of training imparted at the institution. The young dancers then gracefully welcomed the dignitaries, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp.
A moment of tender brilliance followed when eight-year-old Aurora Chakraborty, daughter and disciple of Guru Debdatta Lahiri, took the stage with ‘Shringar Pallavi’, dedicated to the memory of Guru Paushali Mukherjee. Despite her young age, Aurora’s composed abhinaya, confident stage presence, and emotional sensitivity drew warm appreciation from the audience. She has shown promise as a gifted dancer.
Based on recommendations from their respective gurus, three promising dancers between the ages of 11 and 15 were selected for solo presentations, offering a delightful glimpse into the future of classical dance.
Representing Charukriti, Rajanya Thakur performed ‘Shiva Panchakshara Stotram’ in Odissi, marked by devotional intensity, technical stability, and serene grace.
In Kathak, Sohini Das, disciple of Guru Saheli Bose, presented ‘Teentaal’ and ‘Ghazal’, showcasing a fine command over rhythm and expressive nuance.
In Bharatanatyam, Asmita Jayashwal, disciple of Guru Sangeeta Chaki, impressed the art lovers with her strong araimandi, clarity of movement, and assured presentation.
The programme gathered further momentum with ‘Abhogi Pallavi’, performed by Debdatta Lahiri along with her students. Choreographed by Guru Paushali Mukherjee, the piece stood out for its cohesive group dynamics, musical sensitivity, and refined aesthetics—an eloquent demonstration of Charukriti’s disciplined ensemble work. The presentation was a treat for both trained and untrained eyes.
The guest artistes then took the festival to its artistic peak.
A Manipuri dancer and disciple of Guru Shruti Bandyopadhyay, Dr. Somava Bandyopadhyay was the first guest performer. Her ‘Manipuri Prabandha Nritya’ unfolded with lyrical grace and spiritual calm, capturing the meditative soul of the tradition.
This was followed by a powerful Odissi presentation by Vinod Kevin Bachchan, disciple of Padma Shri Guru Ranjana Gauhar and recipient of the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar. His rendition of ‘Devi Mahamaya’, choreographed by Guru Ranjana Gauhar, stood out for its rhythmic clarity, commanding energy, and expressive depth, earning prolonged applause.
The festival concluded on a spectacular note with Lakshmi Kameswari Vempati, Chennai-based Kuchipudi dancer, disciple of Professor Sreemayi Vempati and granddaughter of the legendary Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam. Her performance of the traditional Kuchipudi plate dance astonished the audience with its balance, virtuosity, and dramatic flair—leaving a lasting impression.
The speech segment added thoughtful dimensions to the evening. Smt. Rakhi Sharma Aich, Principal of Ashalata Basu School, spoke eloquently on the role of classical dance in nurturing holistic child development. Eminent poet Partha Bandyopadhyay praised Charukriti’s disciplined approach and Debdatta Lahiri’s tireless dedication. Sougat Dev, Executive Director of DBS Bank and former Adjunct Lecturer at the National University of Singapore, reflected on the deep interconnections between art, education, and society.
In the concluding ceremony, Dr. Somava Bandyopadhyay, Vinod Kevin Bachchan, and Lakshmi Kameswari Vempati were honoured with the ‘Charukriti Yuva Samman’.
The evening was so meticulously curated that the art lovers didn’t get time to take their eyes off the stage. They were seen sitting in their seats till the last item of the evening.
The Knuri–Buds Dance Festival thus etched itself as a luminous chapter in Jalpaiguri’s cultural narrative—where youthful promise met seasoned mastery, and where the disciplined vision of Charukriti and Debdatta Lahiri illuminated a hopeful future for Indian classical dance.
