New Delhi: The School of Creative Hands (SOCH), led by renowned Delhi-based Odissi dancer Rahul Varshney, presented Arunodaya 2024, an enchanting evening dedicated to Indian classical dance.
Held at Swami Vivekananda Auditorium, Kathak Kendra, New Delhi, the event was supported by Kathak Kendra and celebrated India’s rich cultural heritage.
The evening got off to fine start with mesmerizing performances by two eminent guest artistes and the talented dancers of the host institution.
The first performer of the evening was Smt Shaily Chatterjee, who captivated the audience with her graceful Odissi recitals of ‘Krishna Mangalacharan’ and an abhinaya ‘Rati Sukh Sare’ with unmatched elegance and finesse.
From the very beginning, she sculpted her moves carefully and captivated the art connoisseurs with her striking facial expressions and lyrical body movements.
The next performer was Smt Pranika Bhatt, who delivered a soul-stirring Kathak performance ‘Krishna Govardhan Leela’, showcasing the intricate beauty and sophistication of the Lucknow Gharana.
It was amazing to see the level of perfection she depicted all throughout the recital.
The centerpiece of the evening was the presentation of ‘Bal Gopal Ashtakam’ by the talented students of SOCH, under the direction of Rahul Varshney. The item was originally created by the esteemed Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, an SNA awardee.
This performance left the audience spellbound with the dancers captivating the audience with their grace, precision and clarity of movements and expressions.
The event drew a full house, including several distinguished guests and dignitaries including Special Commissioner of Police Neeraj Thakur, Deputy Secretary of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, IB Lenka; Deputy Directors of CCRT, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Dr Rahul Kumar and Dibakar Das.
All attendees lauded the performers for their dedication and commitment to preserving India’s classical dance traditions.
Arunodaya 2024 proved to be a remarkable success, highlighting the significance of preserving and promoting India’s classical dance heritage. Such events serve as vital platforms to celebrate and sustain the nation’s rich cultural traditions for future generations.
