Posted on 18 January 2026:

Arnab Bandyopadhyay: A Visionary of Indian Classical Dance and Founder of Darpani

Arnab Bandyopadhyay, an artiste par excellence, stands as one of the most compelling voices in Indian Classical and Contemporary dance today. With nearly two decades of perseverance and rigorous training, he has carved a niche for himself on both national and international stages. An aficionado of Bharatanatyam and Odissi—two of the most exquisite Indian Classical dance forms—Arnab Bandyopadhyay is among the rare dancers to have mastered both traditions, embodying their distinct aesthetics while weaving them into a seamless artistic dialogue.

His journey began in Kolkata under the tutelage of Smt. Sutapa Talukdar, where discipline and aesthetics laid the foundation of his craft. This path later found profound direction under the legendary Padma Vibhushan Guru Sri Kelucharan Mahapatra, the eternal torchbearer of Odissi. Sustained guidance from Guru Ratikanta Mahapatra, son and distinguished disciple of the maestro, further refined Arnab Bandyopadhyay’s artistry, shaping his dance with immaculate technique, evocative abhinaya, and an authentic Odissi idiom. Rooted in sanctified traditions yet alive with contemporary sensibility, his performances resonate with lyrical elegance, sculptural harmony, and spiritual depth.

Honoring a Legacy: Arnab Bandyopadhyay and the Journey of Darpani

Beyond the stage, Arnab Bandyopadhyay’s vision extends into mentorship and social impact.

Curated and directed by Arnab Bandyopadhyay, the two-day celebration of his revered Guru, the legendary Kelucharan Mohapatra, on his birth centenary, stands as a luminous tribute to the eternal torchbearer of Odissi. Organized annually by his prestigious institution Darpani, the festival gathers a constellation of renowned artists whose devotion to classical dance echoes the timeless legacy of Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra. Each performance becomes a sacred offering, weaving rhythm, emotion and reverence into a tapestry of tradition and innovation.

As the founder of Darpani, Arnab Bandyopadhyay has nurtured countless young talents, offering them a platform to explore and express their creativity. His dedication to popularizing Indian Classical dance forms in the international arena reflects not only his personal commitment but also his belief in dance as a universal language of emotion and transcendence. Constantly evolving through workshops and seminars, Arnab remains a dynamic force—an artist who honors tradition while embracing innovation.

Since its inception in 1995, Darpani has striven with heart and soul to promote and enrich the classical forms of dance, reaching out to diverse strata of society. Recognizing that dance is profoundly performance-oriented, Arnab ensures his students are given the finest platforms to showcase their artistry. Under his watchful eyes, Darpani has blossomed into a vibrant family of more than three hundred students, many of whom have graced prestigious dance festivals and earned accolades across the globe.

Beyond the stage, Darpani’s contribution to society is deeply impactful. The institution has collaborated with several NGOs dedicated to uplifting physically and mentally challenged children, extending the transformative power of dance as a medium of healing, inclusion, and joy. In this way, Arnab Bandyopadhyay’s vision transcends performance—it becomes a movement, a living testament to the enduring spirit of Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra and the boundless possibilities of art.

Arnab Bandyopadhyay: Torchbearer of Odissi’s Timeless Legacy

With nearly three decades of devoted sadhana, Arnab Bandyopadhyay has sculpted a distinctive artistic identity as a solo performer, choreographer, and mentor. His performances are marked by nuanced expressivity, rhythmic sophistication, and architectural clarity of movement—each gesture reflecting a deep internalization of Odissi’s philosophy and aesthetic grammar. A seeker at heart, Arnab continually renews his artistic vision through sustained practice, research, and creative exploration, embodying dance as both discipline and transcendence.

His academic grounding as a postgraduate in Bengali Literature and holder of a first-class diploma in Journalism subtly informs his interpretative depth, narrative sensibility, and poetic engagement with dance. This rare confluence of scholarship and artistry enriches his choreographic voice, allowing him to weave stories that resonate with lyrical beauty and intellectual nuance.

In recognition of his artistic merit, Arnab has been honoured with numerous prestigious accolades. He is an A-Grade Artiste of the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) in Odissi, an empanelled artiste of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) with his repertory Darpani, and a graded artiste of Doordarshan. His artistry has graced stages across India and the world, with extensive tours in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Bangladesh.

Among his most distinguished appearances are the illustrious Khajuraho Dance Festival, the crown jewel of India’s classical dance landscape, and the iconic Konark Dance Festival. His repertoire also includes celebrated platforms such as Odissi International Festival, Uday Shankar Dance Festival, Biswa Banga Sammelan, Taj Mahotsav, NABC (USA), Dover Lane Music Conference, Ghungroo Festival, and Puri Beach Festival, each performance reaffirming his stature as a cultural torchbearer.

Beyond the stage, Arnab Bandyopadhyay nurtures emerging talent through his institution Darpani, guided by a deep commitment to preserve, propagate, and reimagine the timeless beauty of Odissi for generations to come.