New Delhi, Aug 7 (PTI) Veteran Odissi dancer Ratikant Mohapatra, Bharatanatyam doyenne Ananda Shankar, and Kathak exponent Rajendra Gangani will lead the 21st edition of ‘Saare Jahan Se Accha’ dance festival on August 10-11 at Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre.
The two-day festival , organised by Odissi dancer Ranjana Gauhar’s Utsav Educational and Cultural Society, will be themed “Vande Mataram: Bharat ki Virasat, Bharat ka Gaurav”, celebrating “the country’s unity, diversity and cultural legacy while reaffirming the enduring relevance of India’s classical dance and music”.
“‘Saare Jahan Se Accha’ was born from a simple yet profound belief that culture is one of the strongest expressions of our national identity. As we celebrate the 21st edition, Vande Maataram: Bharat Ki Virasat, Bharat Ka Gaurav is both a tribute to our motherland and a reminder of the values that unite us. Through dance and music, we hope to inspire pride, gratitude and a renewed appreciation of India’s extraordinary cultural legacy,” Gauhar said in a statement.
The festival will open with Gauhar’s choreographic production “Chitrangada – The Warrior Princess”, inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s timeless work from the Mahabharat.
The production explores the journey of the Manipuri princess Chitrangada, “celebrating womanhood, courage, self-discovery and equality”.
“Through a compelling artistic narrative, the work highlights the timeless quest for identity, dignity and recognition beyond conventional notions of beauty, making it particularly relevant for contemporary audiences,” the organisers said.
The evening will also see the presentation of Utsav Samman – Lifetime Achievement Award to Manipuri dancer Darshana Jhaveri, Kuchipudi dancer Rashmi Vaidyalingam, and Ratikant Mohapatra for for their “exceptional contribution to Indian arts and culture”.
On August 11, through the classical traditions of Odissi, Bharatanatyam and Kathak, the performances will offer a collective artistic “salute to the nation, reflecting the diversity, strength and unity that define India’s cultural landscape”.
The concluding evening will feature Odissi recital by Gauhar’s disciplesi, Bharatanatyam by Shankar and disciples, Odissi by Mohapatra and his students, and Kathak performance by Gangani and his disciples. PTI MAH MAH MAH
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