Posted on 18 September 2025:
Dr. Mahua Mukherjee Honored for Reviving Gaudiya Nritya
On 17th September 2025, at the Banquet Hall of Rajbhavan, Kolkata, Dr. Mahua Mukherjee was awarded the prestigious Performing Arts honor for Gaudiya Nritya by His Excellency Governor Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose, during the 75th birth anniversary celebration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A celebrated dancer, scholar and director of Gaudiya Bharati, Kolkata, Dr. Mahua Mukherjee has dedicated her life to reviving this classical dance form, blending deep research with artistic brilliance—supported wholeheartedly by her husband, Amitabha Mukherjee.
Reviving the Forgotten Grace of Gaudiya Nritya
Gaudiya Nritya, the classical dance of old Bengal rooted in the ancient Natyashastra, faded over time due to lost patronage and Western influence. While other forms like Kathak and Bharatanatyam thrived, Gaudiya slipped into silence.
“Gaudiya Nritya, born from the soul of old Bengal and rooted in the Natyashastra, faded under Western winds—but with guidance from my legendary gurus, Acharya Manabendu Shastri, Guru Narottam Sanyal, Padmasree Gambhir Singh Mudha, Guru Rasik Shashi Mahato, Padmabhushan Kalanidhi Narayanan, its rhythm lives on.” – Dr. Mahua Mukherjee
Dr. Mahua Mukherjee, trained in the guru-shishya tradition, brings it back to life through powerful expressions—heroic Chau, romantic Nachni, mythic Kushan, and devotional Kirtan.
Guided by legendary gurus, her performances weave mythology into movement, echoing a legacy once forgotten, now reborn.
A Tribute in Rhythm: Celebrating Gaudiya Nritya and Human Spirit
Dr. Mahua Mukherjee’s rich repertoire in Gaudiya Nritya—featuring works like Vandana, Dashavatar, and Ekalavya’s Gurudakshina—was honored through the documentary Dance of the Gods, produced by the Films Division, HRD Ministry.
At the Governor’s Award of Excellence ceremony, held with grace and compassion, seventy-five luminaries were recognized, and aid was extended to thirty cancer patients.
The evening bloomed with cultural elegance, including a heartfelt poem by Hon’ble Governor Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose and a moving dance tribute by EZCC, marking a celebration of art, service and national pride.
