Agartala: The city’s art aficionados were treated to an evening of sheer aesthetic delight as Chitra Kala Dance Academy hosted the sixth edition of its Uttaran Odissi Dance Festival 2025 at the Town Hall auditorium, Agartala, on December 5.
A brainchild of eminent Odissi exponent Smt Pinki Debbarma, Chitra Kala Dance Academy, one of the premier dance institutions in the state, has been organizing this annual festival with its standard growing each year.
This year’s event was graced by Project Director, Sangeet Natak Akademi, North East Centre, Agartala, Smt Sharbani Nandy as the chief guest and Chairperson of Tripura Commission for Women, Jharna Debbarma, Principal-in-charge of Sachin Debbarma Memorial Government Music College Dr Manika Das, Assistant Professor of Kathak Dance and Music Department, Tripura University Dr Ajay Kumar and senior journalist and art lover Mr Amit Bhowmik as special guests who inaugurated the festival by lighting the auspicious lamp.
In their addresses, they heaped praises on Chitra Kala Dance Academy and its founder Smt Pinki Debbarma for their unwavering commitment to nurturing art and culture in the state.
In memory of Padma Shri Sanjukta Panigrahi, all the participants were felicitated with Sanjukta Panigrahi Award.
The cultural segment opened with a duet Odissi recital by Pinki Debbarma and her daughter Bristi Majumdar. They presented ‘Matangi Dhyanam’, an evocative obeisance to Goddess Matangi, based on raga Ragamaliak and Tala Jati, choreographed by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra and direction by Guru Smt Nilanjana Mukherjee.
The mother-daughter duo enthralled the audience with their striking synchrony, expressive clarity, and effortless elegance.
The following item was a solo Odissi dance recital by Saveri Sinha, daughter of Sharbani Nandy. Her presentation ‘Kirwani Pallavi’, set to Raga Kirwani and Tala Ektali, showcased commendable precision and artistry.
Next, the art lovers were treated to a scintillating group performance by the students of Chitra Kala Dance Academy. The artistes including Pinki Debbarma, Bristi Majumdar, Saniya Basfore, Pranay Debbarma and Dipta Debbarma presented ‘Nagendra Haraya’, choreographed by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, direction by Smt Nilanjana Mukherjee.
Here, the dancers beautifully depicted different aspects of Lord Shiva, leaving the audience glued to their seats.
The stage then witnessed a mesmerising group Odissi dance recital by the students of Mitali Kala Kendra, Guwahati, Assam. The artistes-Tanmana Chowdhury, Ankita Saikia, Sushmita Modak and Dalarina Kalita presented ‘Nila Nidhi’, set to Raga Mukhari and Tala Khemta, choreographed by Padma Bibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra and direction by Tanmana Chowdhury. The dancers earned applause for their grace and poise.
The fifth item of the evening was a solo Odissi dance recital ‘Nagendra Haraya’ by Rima Banerjee followed by a duet by Saveri Sinha and Bristi Majumdar. Both items were a visual treat for both art connoisseurs and common audience. The following item was a group recital by Aparna Goswami, Kabita Das and Boishali Paddar who presented ‘Basant Pallavi’, set to Raga Basant and Tala Ekatli. The presentation was an entertaining one.
The spotlight was then shifted to a solo item ‘Battu’, a pure dance piece in the Odissi repertoire dedicated to Lord Shiva, presented by Bristi Majumdar. The item was originally choreographed by Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and direction by Guru Smt Nilanjana Mukherjee. Here, Bristi’s neat foot work, grace and clarity of movements testified to her dedication and training.
The penultimate item of the evening was a solo Odissi dance recital by Debarathi Saha, a disciple of Dr Madhurima Goswami and a senior student of the Kashinath Krishnapriya Institute of Performing Arts, Tezpur, Assam. She presented ‘Murtamaheswara’, set to Raga Prathamamanjari and Natabhairava and Tala Ektali, choreographed by her guru Dr Goswami and music composed by Sangeet Acharya Bankeen Sethi. While the item elaborated Lord Shiva’s nature, the dancer with her agility and expressive command left the audience captivated.
The grand finale came in the form of a captivating Kathak recital by Dr Ajay Kumar, a disciple of Pt. Rajendra Gangani and a torch bearer of Jaipur Gharana. He commenced his recital with ‘Ganesh Vandana’ based on Raag Bhatiyar and Taal Deepchandi, went on to present ‘Thumari Bhav Abhinay’ based on Raag Mishra Pahadi and Taal Addha and composed by his Guru Pt Rajendra Gangani and concluded with a Thumari ‘Chaila Roke Dagariya Thado’.
With his technical mastery, perfect spins and artistic expressions, he instantly had the art lovers in his thrall and brought the evening to a memorable close.
The festival’s performances collectively etched an unforgettable impression on the hearts of the audience.
