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 Akhand Arpan 2025- Satish Surie-mail: satishism@yahoo.co.in Photos: Prof K.S.Krishnamurthy / Sudhi August 5, 2025  The concept of Akhanda Arpan was born in 2024 from a deep sense of reverence and purpose. Conceived by Bornalee Sarkar, Founder-Director of Shubham - A School of Performing Arts, and Dr. Sujaya Ghosh, a dedicated faculty member of Kathak at Shubham, envisioned a coming together of classical musicians and dancers across disciplines in a seamless and sacred offering. The initiative was rooted in a desire to create a shared space where artistes - many of whom now perform as soloists or guide the next generation - could express their gratitude to their gurus and reaffirm their collective commitment to sustaining the classical arts.  Akhanda Arpan was conceived as a continuous, seven-hour celebration of music and dance, taking inspiration from the symbolic resonance of the number seven - Sapta Taala, Sapta Swara, Saptaahika. These seven rhythmic cycles, seven musical notes, and seven days of creation mirror the completeness and continuity that art aspires to embody. What began as a humble vision gradually took shape with the support of a dedicated team of collaborators - Smitha Srinivasan, Arpita Banerjee, Karishma Ahuja, Sohini Bose, and Preeja Mahendran - whose passion and commitment helped translate the idea into a vibrant reality. The positive response from artistes and audiences alike inspired the team to make this an annual offering on the occasion of Guru Poornima. The festival opened with a Kathak group performance by students of Thaat Kathak Academy, under the guidance of Smitha Srinivasan. Their confident presence and rhythmic articulation set a dignified tone for the evening. This was followed by a poised Bharatanatyam solo by Bianca Radhakrishna, disciple of Guru Radha Sridhar, who impressed with her clarity of line and subtle abhinaya.  Kathak continued to be a strong presence with high-energy presentations by the disciples of Manasa Joshi and by Anaadya Performing Arts, under Arpita Banerjee, whose choreographies reflected a vibrant command over tala and laya. Kimaham's students, trained by Avijit Das, presented Kuchipudi with brisk footwork and spirited execution, while Shubham School of Performing Arts, mentored by Bornalee Sarkar showcased strong ensemble work with thematic cohesion. Solo presentations stood out for their voices and refined artistry. Alaka Subrahmanya, disciple of Kiran Subramanyam and Sandhya Kiran brought strength and subtlety to her Bharatanatyam presentation, while Niyathi Nagesh, disciple of Veena C Sheshadri, displayed elegance and keen musicality. ODC Bangalore, led by Devjani Sen added further dimension with their engaging group presentation.   A special moment in the evening came with Smitha Anand's evocative solo, mentored by Sohini Bose. This transitioned seamlessly into a lyrical Odissi presentation by Urja Centre of Performing Arts, also under Sohini Bose Banerjee, marked by grace and a meditative quality in movement. Bharatanatyam by Abhinaya Centre of Performing Arts (mentor: Gayathri Balaji) and Kathak by Atulya (mentor: Baneeta Nag) further highlighted the diversity of style and interpretation across institutions. The group from Shivaalaya School of Dance under Preeja Mahendran brought a strong stage presence and well-rehearsed synchronisation. The soft, circular aesthetics of Mohiniyattam came through in a beautiful duet by Jennah Joe and Namitha Vijayakumar, students of Samarpana Mohiniyattam Kalari under Vinaya Narayanan. Dr. Tony Pius, disciple of Chitra C Dasarathy, presented a deeply internalised Bharatanatyam solo, marked by technical precision and contemplative stillness.   A particularly memorable highlight was the Odissi solo by Karishma Ahuja, whose performance stood out for its internalised bhava, supple movements, and command over form. A senior practitioner and teacher, her presence on stage exuded quiet confidence and reverence for the art. Her presentation served as both a personal offering and an inspiration for younger dancers in the audience. The finale brought together compelling group presentations by the Kadambari School of Odissi Dance (also under Karishma Ahuja), Pranavanjali Academy for Performing Arts (guided by Pavithra Prashanth), and Nritya Sinchana Dance Company (mentored by Dr. Rashmi Thaper), each bringing their own aesthetic sensibilities and disciplined ensemble work to the fore. As the curtain fell on another successful edition,wherein 117 participants took part , the organisers expressed heartfelt gratitude to every artiste, volunteer, technician, and supporter who contributed to this shared experience. The blessings of senior gurus and the enthusiastic participation of students lent the event both gravitas and joy. Energised by this collective spirit, the team now looks forward to making Akhanda Arpan 2026 an even more expansive and inclusive celebration of the timeless guru-shishya tradition. "Where art becomes prayer, and performance transforms into prasadam - this is the essence of Akhanda Arpan."  Bangalore based Satish Suri is an avid dance rasika besides being a life member of the Music and Arts Society. |
