Posted on 18 April 2026:
SAMPRATTI — Honoring Legacies at Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Kolkata
On 7th April 2026, the Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Kolkata witnessed a luminous tribute and tradition with SAMPRATTI — Honouring Legacies, conceptualised by SNA Awardee Smt. Priti Patel. This annual initiative continues to celebrate stalwarts whose vision and artistry have profoundly enriched the cultural landscape of India.
The 2025 edition of SAMPRATTI felicitated two legendary figures whose contributions have expanded the horizons of Indian art:
- Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh, an iconic cultural personality, internationally renowned as an artist, educator, scholar, author, motivational speaker, kathakar and social activist. Her mastery of Indian dance and Sanatan traditions, combined with her ability to interlink philosophy, literature, sculpture, and mythology, has redefined repertories through vibrant creativity and innovative experimentation.
- Padma Shri Darshana Jhaveri, the celebrated Manipuri dancer, research scholar, and teacher, whose lifelong dedication has preserved and propagated the classicism of Manipuri dance. Alongside the Jhaveri Sisters and Guru Bipin Singh, she brought the sacred dances of Manipur from temple courtyards to the theatre stage, without compromising their purity or spirit.
The event unfolded with profound reflections on the enduring legacies that continue to shape Indian dance.
Dr. Sruti Bandopadhyay, Head of the Department of Rabindra Sangeet Dance & Drama and Principal of Sangit Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, offered an insightful exploration of Rabindranath Tagore’s influence on dance — a vision where movement became poetry, and rhythm became philosophy.
Equally evocative was the reflection on the Uday Shankar style of dance, a pioneering approach that redefined modern Indian expression. The presence of Padmashree Mamta Shankar and SNA Awardee Tanusree Shankar lent depth and resonance, embodying the living continuum of this innovative tradition.
The inauguration carried a serene spiritual aura, beginning with W. Gunchenbi’s soulful rendition of Yakairol in the Manipuri Pena tradition, followed by the Guru Mantra in Sanskrit, and culminating in Rabindranath Tagore’s devotional song “Mono Jago Mongololokey”, taught by Smt. Pramita Mallick. These invocations wove together devotion, heritage, and artistry, setting a reverent tone for the evening — a tapestry where music and dance conversed with timeless legacies.
A Collage of Dance and Harmony
Kolkata witnessed yet another unique cultural evening, organized by Sanskriti Sagar, Open Doors and Anjika, with concept and choreography by the renowned Priti Patel. The program unfolded as a vibrant tapestry of Indian classical traditions, seamlessly woven together in the evening session.
Keeping with the theme of unity in diversity, Priti Patel brought together the dance forms of Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri Rasleela, Manipuri Sankirtana, and Thang Ta. Flowing and intertwining, these movements created exquisite patterns — a living reflection of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the timeless philosophy that celebrates harmony within diversity.
The performance was enriched by the contributions of many distinguished artistes:
- Bharatnatyam: Rajdeep Banerjee & Group
- Kathak: Debashree Bhattacharya, Sohini Debnath & Group
- Odissi: Shashwati Garai Ghosh & Group
- Manipuri: Anjika — S. Karuna Devi, K. Ratan Singh, Th. Imocha Singh, W. Suraj Kumar & Group
The evening’s narrative was guided by Sadhna Shrivastav’s script and narration, enhanced by Dinesh Poddar’s lighting design and execution, and supported by Biswajit Prasad’s sound design. Together, these elements elevated the performance into a holistic experience — where dance, light, and sound converged to embody the spirit of cultural unity.
SAMPRATTI 2026 STOOD AS A TESTAMENT TO INDIA’S LIVING TRADITIONS — A CELEBRATION WHERE LEGACIES WERE HONOURED, CREATIVITY WAS CHERISHED, AND THE TIMELESS SPIRIT OF THE ARTS ILLUMINATED KOLKATA’S CULTURAL STAGE.
