A three-day festival featuring kathak dance, one of the most popular classical dance genres, began at the Chhayanaut auditorium on Tuesday evening.
The dance festival, organised by Kathak Nritya Sampradaya, included colourful kathak dance recitals by individual artistes and dancers of the organisaiton presented in group and solo performances synchronised with classical raga pieces. Novelist Selina Hossain inaugurated the festival as chief guest, in presence of noted dancers Sharmila Bandopadhyay and Munmun Ahmed and chief of Kathak Nritya Sampradaya Saju Ahmed. At the programme, seasoned dancer Gomal Mostafa Khan was awarded for his contributions for his contributions in popularising kathak dance within the country.
The artistes of the organisation commenced the festival through a group presentation of bandana (a devotional dance routine). Led by Saju Ahmed, the troupe sought grace from the god through pleasant dancing.
The audience enjoyed the lively dancing of Aparijita Mustafa as she presented a kathak dance synchronised with raga dhamar. Another solo performance of the artiste synchronised with raga thumri also received loud applause from the people.
Calculated, graceful body postures and lively spins of Emon Kumar Dey and Ananya Malik created a magical atmosphere in the hall while they presented a duet dance piece with raga gatmalika.
Artistes of Nrityanchal, on the other hand, presented a group dance with raga tarana. The well coordinated dance by the dancers clad in colorful attire, comforted the eyes of the spectators.
About the festival, Saju Ahmed informed New Age that this is the second time that the organisation has organsied the festival. ‘We organise the festival to bring the kathak dancers of the country together and to share their knowledge and experiences about the dance genre,’ added Ahmed, who also informed that Kathak, which means storytelling, was originated in Northern India and is one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances.
A good number of audience enjoyed the show. Raisa Kabir Ritu, a dance enthusiast who studies at a private university, shared that the dance pieces were enjoyable. ‘The performances were well synchronised and the dancers were also very skilled,’ also added Ritu.
‘I have heard the name of kathak dance before but coming here I got to know more about the genre,’ Raisul Kabir, a private service holder, told New Age.
-With New Age input
