Kolkata, January 16, 2026:
Narteswar Cultural Centre marked a significant milestone with the grand presentation of the 10th Bhagirath Nritya Yuva Utsav’26, held at the Yogesh Mime Academy on January 16. Celebrating a decade of commitment to India’s rich classical heritage, the prestigious festival emerged as a vibrant confluence of dance, intellect, science, and culture, drawing artists, scholars, and cultural connoisseurs from across the country.
This year’s edition stood out for its unique vision—honouring eminent scientists and academicians alongside showcasing outstanding young classical dance talent. The festival felicitated distinguished personalities including Dr. Benubrata Das, Dr. Urmi Basu, Dr. Himika Mukhopadhyay, Dr. Sudeshna ShyamChowdhury, Dr. Tanya Das, Dr. Haimi Chattopadhyay, Dr. Gaurishankar Sa, and Mr. Prabir Bhattacharya, recognising their remarkable contributions in their respective fields and their role in strengthening the dialogue between science, art, and culture.
The evening unfolded as a captivating cultural journey with eight eminent classical dance performers from various parts of India, including Hyderabad and Manipur, gracing the stage. The audience was treated to spellbinding performances across diverse classical forms such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Padavali, and more—each presentation reflecting technical brilliance, aesthetic depth, and regional richness.
The festival commenced on a sublime note with “Panchadeva”, followed by the premiere of the newest choreographic work “Shivangsh”, a powerful and evocative depiction of Shiva and Shakti. Performed by the students of Narteswar Cultural Centre, the production was choreographed by Prof. Guru Dr. Puspita Mukherjee and designed by Sumoyee Mukherjee, earning wide appreciation for its conceptual clarity, spiritual resonance, and visual elegance.
Speaking on the occasion, Festival Director and Artistic Director of Narteswar Cultural Centre, eminent Odissi exponent Guru Dr. Puspita Mukherjee, remarked that classical meets like Bhagirath Nritya Yuva Utsav transcend performance to become celebrations of togetherness, diversity, and cultural unity. She expressed gratitude to the artists, guests, and audience for making the 10th edition memorable and shared her enthusiasm for returning next year with renewed artistic vigour.
With its seamless blend of tradition and contemporary thought, Bhagirath Nritya Yuva Utsav’26 reaffirmed its stature as a distinguished platform that not only nurtures classical dance but also fosters meaningful connections between art, knowledge, and society—leaving the audience inspired and eagerly anticipating the next edition.
