Posted on 15 January 2026:
Mardala Manjeera 2026: A Reverent Ode to Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra’s Birth Centenary
On the evenings of January 17th and 18th, 2026, Gyan Manch, Kolkata, will become a sanctum of rhythm and remembrance as Darpani presents Mardala Manjeera—a soulful tribute to the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra on his birth centenary. Curated and directed by Arnab Bandyopadhyay, this two-day celebration brings together a constellation of renowned artists whose devotion to classical dance echoes the timeless legacy of Guruji.
Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and enriched by creative partners like Icanflyy, TEA KAFI and the dreamers, the event promises a vibrant confluence of tradition and artistry.
With each beat of the mardala and chime of the manjeera, the performances will evoke the spirit of Guruji’s teachings—where dance is not mere movement, but a sacred offering. From evocative solos to ensemble brilliance, the stage will pulse with stories, devotion and the enduring grace of Odissi and allied forms.
On 17 January 2026 — A living homage to the legendary Guru
The evening will begin with a 30-year journey recap of Darpani, on screen presentation, followed by floral tributes to the Maestro and felicitations to eminent artists including Guru Ranjana Gauhar, Guru Madhavi Mudgal, Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, Vidushi Sujata Mohapatra, Arushi Mugdal, Smt. Rajashri Praharaj, Preetisha Mohapatra, Vrinda Chadha, Smt. Tapati Chowdhury, Smt. Alokananda Roy, Smt. Sutapa Talukdar, Smt. Aloka Kanungo, Smt. Sharmila Biswas and Smt. Arundhuti Roy.
Day One of Mardala Manjeera unfolds with a constellation of luminaries whose artistry defines the very soul of Odissi. The stage will be graced by Padma Shree Guru Ranjana Gauhar, the radiant Vrinda Chadha, and the illustrious duo Padma Shree Guru Madhavi Mudgal and Arushi Mudgal, weaving tradition with innovation. The evening further shines with the brilliance of Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, Vidushi Sujata Mohapatra, Smt. Rajashri Praharaj, and Preetisha Mohapatra, each bringing their unique resonance to a celebration that promises to be spellbinding in spirit and sublime in execution.
Highlight of the evening — Shiv Tandav
— choreographed by Guru Arnab Bandyopadhyay and music composition by Pandit Bhubaneswar Mishra, set to Raag Bhatiyar and Taal Khemta. This electrifying invocation of Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance will echo the brilliance of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra’s original composition, brought to life by a vibrant ensemble of dancers – Anusmita Bhattacharjee, Anaya Ghosh, Nikita Das, Soumily Sadhukhan, Brishti Roy, Sumouli Basu, Ishani Mukherjee, Shruti Mondal, Soham Dey, Abhijit Das, Kaahon Guha and Arnab Bandyopadhyay.
Another radiant highlight — Shivranjini Pallavi
—a pure dance form where movement and melody entwine. The lyrical grace of the dancers, woven with the intricate rhythms of Joti and Ektali, creates a shimmering tapestry of sound and motion. Conceived by Guru Arnab Bandyopadhyay and enriched by the music of Shri Himangshu Sekhar Swain with rhythmic brilliance by Soumo Ranjan Nayak, this composition finds its soul in the artistry of Anusmita Bhattacharjee, Anaya Ghosh, Nikita Das, Soumily Sadhukhan, Brishti Roy, Sumouli Basu, Ishani Mukherjee, Shruti Mondal, Soham Dey, Abhjit Das, and Kaahon Guha—together evoking the timeless beauty of Raga Shivranjini.
The visual aura of the evening is enriched by the creative lighting of Mr. Debiprasad Misra and Mr. Soumen Chakraborty, complemented by Mr. Niloy Panchal’s flawless sound design. Each moment is beautifully preserved through Arijit Roy’s photography and Rittik Chakraborty’s videography.
On 18 January 2026 — a celebration of rhythm and devotion
The first half of the evening journeys through timeless invocations—Shantakaram, Basant Pallavi, Saraswati Vandana, Hari Om, Bhajan, and Lalilata Labangalata—each performance weaving serenity with vibrant artistry.
The second half blossoms into deeper hues of expression, presenting Pada Vande, Srita Kamala, Patadeep Pallavi, Vakratunda, Dakho Go, Durga, and culminating in Moksha. Together, they form a tapestry of spiritual resonance and aesthetic brilliance.
On the second day, the stage will be graced by the performances of eminent artists—Smt. Rina Jana, Smt. Nandini Ghosal, and Smt. Kakali Bose—whose artistry promises to elevate the celebration into a sublime experience.
The festival also honors distinguished guests and luminaries. Felicitations will be offered to Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, Guru Ashimbandhu Bhattacharya, Smt. Anita Mallick, and Sri Amit Dasgupta, the esteemed writer and Tagore scholar. Guest artists Smt. Rina Jana, Smt. Nandini Ghosal, and Smt. Kakali Bose will likewise be celebrated for their invaluable contributions.
The second evening’s highlight – Ananta
—An innovative Odissi production choreographed and directed by Arnab Bandyopadhyay. Rooted in the philosophy of the Pancha Bhuta—the five elements—this lyrical work explores creation, dissolution, and the eternal cosmic cycle through dance, music, and Vedic chanting. With a script by Sreyashi Dey, music by Sandipan Ganguly, and the soulful voice of Dr. Subhadra Desai, Ananta unfolds as a dynamic performance of striking beauty. A stellar ensemble—Anusmita Bhattacharjee, Anaya Ghosh, Nikita Das, Sneha Hazra, Brishti Roy, Sumouli Basu, Ishani Mukherjee, Shruti Mondal, Soham Dey, Abhijit Das, Kaahon Guha, and Arnab himself—brings this cosmic narrative to life.
Mardala Manjeera stands as a living homage, where heritage breathes and Guru’s legacy endures.
