Kolkata witnesses a dazzling celebration of India's classical arts

Kolkata witnessed an unforgettable evening of cultural brilliance as RasaBilasa 2025 unfolded at Gyan Manch, Kolkata, organised by the renowned Srijan Chhanda institute. Conceptualized by visionary Odissi dancer Rajib Bhattacharya, the event showcased the elegance, rhythm, and expression of India's classical dance traditions, leaving a packed audience in awe.
The evening began with a ceremonial Pushpanjali, where esteemed guests, including luminaries like Arundhati Roy, Dr Nita Vidyarthi, Haimanti Chatterjee, Papia Chowdhury, Anita Mullick, Dr Amita Dutta, and Dr Mahua Mukherjee, were welcomed on stage. The event was beautifully conducted by Neeladyuti Chaudhury, a senior disciple of Srijan Chhanda and Rajib Bhattacharya, who described RasaBilasa as "a heartfelt endeavor to rekindle our connection to India’s artistic soul."
The performances that followed captivated the audience, blending classical and contemporary themes seamlessly. The opening act, Jaya Jagadisha Harey, choreographed by Rajib Bhattacharya, featured spellbinding abhinaya by Srijan Chhanda's students, including Sruti Dhar, Debashree Adhikari, Shalini Sinha, Ayontika Roy, Surojit Biswas, Soumen Kundu, Kamalika Bose, Shayoree Mukherjee, Angona Bose, Satarupa Saha, and Srijeeta Mukherjee.
A Kathak-Manipuri duet by Sourav Roy and Sudip Ghosh demonstrated the harmony of rhythm and grace, while a stunning Odissi-Kathak fusion for Tarana Pallavi and Sufi, performed by Subikash Mukherjee and Subrata Pandit, delved into the mystical depths of Sufi philosophy.
Shayomita Dasgupta and Samrat Dutta's Odissi-Bharatanatyam duet mesmerized the audience with the Dhyana Mantra of Durga and a dramatic abhinaya piece from Tamil Ramanatakam. The event also honored India's folk roots with a powerful Raibenshe performance directed by Tarun Pradhan, showcasing the vibrancy of Bengal’s martial tradition.
Guests and sponsors, including Lakshmi Mukherjee, Santosh Kalindi, Amitava Dutta, Debranjan Banerjee, Aparna Barua, Ankita Seal, Tandrima Bhattacharya, Punam Das, Pawan Kumar Agarwal, and Priyanka Agarwal, were felicitated for their contributions to the event's success.
The highlight of the evening was the recognition of Srijan Chhanda's students, whose performances left an indelible mark on the audience. Their dedication and artistry were celebrated, reflecting the institute's commitment to nurturing the future torchbearers of India’s cultural legacy.
In her vote of thanks, Neeladyuti Chaudhury, on behalf of Srijan Chhanda, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, for their support in making RasaBilasa a reality. She also thanked all sponsors, performers, and supporters who contributed to the success of the event.
As the evening came to a close, the audience departed inspired, carrying with them the timeless essence of India’s classical arts. RasaBilasa 2025 was not just an event but a celebration of heritage—uniting generations and transcending time.


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