Posted on 16 June 2026:
Alok Murali Festival 2026 – A Tribute in Rhythm and Reverence
The 4th Alok Murali Festival 2026, held on May 27 at the Satyajit Ray Auditorium (ICCR), Kolkata, blossomed as a luminous tribute to Guru Murulidhar Majhi and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Guru Aloka Kanungo. Organized by Kalindi Ahaban Cultural Association under the direction of the renowned Smt. Sriparna Bose, the festival also marked the Association’s 14th Annual Programme.
Padma Shri Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, eminent Odissi dancer and choreographer, inaugurated the evening with floral tributes at the lotus feet of Lord Jagannath, embodying devotion and tradition.
Smt. Sriparna Bose, who has dedicated four decades to Odissi, felicitated the distinguished guests—Guru Aloka Kanungo, Smt. Annapurna Majhi, Kathak exponent Guru Madhumita Roy, and Sarod maestro Pandit Ranajit Sengupta—honoring their artistry and presence.
Padma Shri Guru Durga Charan Ranbir was bestowed the prestigious Shirsha Samman, while every participant received the Alok Murali Anugata Samman—a gesture that illuminated the spirit of collective artistry and shared honour.
In its graceful offerings, the Alok Murali Festival became not only a homage to revered gurus but also a radiant celebration of continuity, where tradition and tribute intertwined in the heart of Kolkata.
Radiance of Dance at Alok Murali Festival 2026
The 4th Alok Murali Festival 2026 unfolded with a constellation of performances that illuminated Kolkata’s cultural stage.
Students of Kalindi Ahaban Cultural Association, under the direction of Guru Sriparna Bose, presented an exquisite Odissi recital by Abhisikta Ghosh, choreographed by Guru Jyotsna Rani Sahu—Analo Shyam Ki Range, a soulful dedication to Lord Krishna. A vibrant group performance featuring Shankarabharanam Pallavi, Khamaj Pallavi, and Arabhi Pallavi drew resounding applause, with dancers including Abhisikta Ghosh, Samanwita Biswas, Srija Mukherjee, Shreya Chowdhury, Principia Chakraborty, Adwitiya Dey, Saanvi Dasgupta, Rai Bhattacharya, Ahana Chakraborty, Aditri Chakraborty, Rishima Mitra, Saptasri Das, Anushka Majee, and Samadrita Kundu.
Newcomer students touched hearts with Batu, Ganesh Vandana, and the tale of Narasimha avatar, while the duet Basanta Pallavi by young talents Anushka Maji and Samadrita Kundu captivated the audience with its freshness.
Renowned artistes including Priyangi Dhang (Mohiniyattam), Srijita Sanyal (Odissi), Arpita Saha (Manipuri), Sourav Das and Sumanjit Chakraborty (Bharatanatyam–Odissi duet), Sriyanka Mali (Kathak), and Gayatri Ranveer (Odissi) graced the evening with their artistry.
Priyangi Dhang — Cholkettu in Mohiniyattam
In the quiet grace of Mohiniyattam, Priyangi Dhang steps forth with Cholkettu—an ancient invocation where rhythm and lyricism entwine. Chollu, the syllables of percussion, and Kettu, the act of recitation, merge into a garland of adavus and sanmishrams, flowing with effortless fluency.
Set in Raag Nalinakanthi and Chatushra Ekam, choreographed by her Guru Smt. Mom Chatterjee Ganguly, this opening piece becomes both a ritual and a revelation—sometimes ending in prayer, always beginning in beauty.
Srijita Sanyal — Ardhnareshwar in Odissi
In her solo Odissi performance, Srijita Sanyal embodies Ardhnareshwar—the eternal union of Shiva and Shakti. The right side radiates ascetic power with trishula, serpent, and matted locks, while the left glows with Parvati’s jeweled grace and tender expression. This duality, choreographed by Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and set to music by Padma Shri Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi in Raag Malika and Taal Malika, conveys a timeless truth: masculine and feminine energies are inseparable, harmonizing to sustain the universe.
Gayatri Ranbir — Rageshri Pallavi & Abhinaya
In her luminous solo, Gayatri Ranbir unfolds a Rageshri Pallavi in Raag Rageshri and Ektal, followed by the Odia Abhinaya “Bada Achambita Dekhili Lo Mita.” Radha, enraptured by Krishna’s Tribhanga Lalita form, describes him as a dark raincloud embracing the Kadamba tree, jeweled like lightning, crowned with peacock feathers shimmering as rainbows, and enthralling with his flute. The Sakhi gently counters—what drenched Radha was not rain, but her own sweat born of divine ecstasy. Set in Raag Mishra Tilak Kamod, with Adatali and Khemta rhythms, choreographed by Guru Durga Charan Ranbir (Padma Shri, SNA Awardee), the piece blossoms as a dialogue of devotion, wonder, and love.
Arpita Saha & Sriyanka Mali — Dance Offerings
At the festival, Arpita Saha presented a solo Manipuri dance, drawing from the compositions of Guru Bipin Singh, narrating how Lord Krishna subdued the venomous Kaliya. Her performance was enriched by the evocative vocals of Draupadi Devi and the resonant pung accompaniment of Guru Bimangal Singh.
In graceful contrast, Sriyanka Mali offered a solo Kathak recital choreographed by Guru Madhumita Roy, earning heartfelt appreciation for her artistry and poise.
The event was seamlessly managed by Sriparna Bose and Shubhadip Bose, hosted by Mrs. Jyoti Dutta and Sejuti Bose, with photography by Shankar Sen and Sourav Bhowmik—an evening where devotion, discipline and dance converged in luminous harmony.
