Praroha Dance Festival Concludes in the Capital with Splendour
New Delhi, 21 August 2025: The Praroha Dance Festival, curated and directed by Odissi exponent Guru Arunima Ghosh, unfolded with splendour at Alliance Française, New Delhi, leaving the audience spellbound with the grace, rhythm, and devotion of Odissi. Students of Manasija School of Dance and Music carried the spirit of tradition forward, their performances weaving together discipline and artistry into a mesmerizing evening.
The festival was graced by eminent personalities from the world of art and culture — Vidushi Sharon Lowen (renowned Odissi Guru), Guru Prafulla Mangaraj (eminent Pakhawaj artist), Dr. Tapan Mukherjee (Vice President, Bengal Association), Qazi M. Raghib (Art Critic), Kosal Kumar (Sculptor), Dwaipayan Das (Kathak Exponent), and Mannu Kohli (Manager, Routes2Roots). Their presence lent warmth and inspiration to the occasion, honouring the dedication of the young performers.
The evening opened with “Veena Vadini Var De, Var De, Var De”, based on the celebrated poem by Hindi literary icon Suryakant Tripathi ‘Nirala’. Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the piece was choreographed by Guru Sharon Lowen, setting a divine tone for the evening.
What followed was a bouquet of Odissi presentations:
“Abhyas”, choreographed by Arunima Ghosh, capturing the daily discipline of practice through the foundational vocabulary of Odissi.
“Batu”, a pure dance inspired by Odisha’s temple sculptures, choreographed by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra with music by Pandit Bhubaneswar Mishra.
“Moli Mala Shyamaku Debi”, an Odia abhinaya evoking Radha’s tender emotions, choreographed by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.
“Nritya Leela”, a lyrical piece set in Raga Rageshri, showcasing the sculptural elegance of Odissi.
“Jagannath Ashtakam”, the revered Sanskrit hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya, choreographed by Arunima Ghosh with music by Guru Prafulla Mangaraj and Shri Sukant Nayak.
Each composition unfurled like a blossom — intricate in rhythm, rich in expression, and steeped in spiritual essence — reminding the audience of the timeless depth of Odissi.
Concluding the festival, curator Arunima Ghosh shared: “Praroha is not just a celebration of our students’ artistry, but a confluence of tradition and modernity brought alive on stage. Watching them blossom in front of such an appreciative audience was deeply fulfilling.”
The evening drew to a close with heartfelt applause, affirming Praroha as both a tribute to heritage and a promise of the future of Indian classical dance.