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 Arunodaya 2025 - A journey of mentorship and sustained practice- Rashmita Adhikarie-mail: punarjjaniculturalcentre@gmail.com Photos: Souvik Basu January 9, 2026 Arunodaya - A Cultural Saga was presented on 27 December 2025 at the Swami Vivekananda Auditorium, Kathak Kendra, New Delhi. This felt like it was not intended to be a standalone performance event, but a coming together of people, practices, and shared histories. Organised by SOCH (School of Creative Hands) under the direction of Odissi dancer and teacher Rahul Varshney, Arunodaya has steadily grown into a space where training and thoughtful presentation take precedence over scale. This edition carried an added layer of significance, as it was held alongside the AttenDance Annual Awards 2025, marking 25 years of the annual dance publication founded in 1999 by the late Professor Mohan Khokar. The publication has since been carried forward by his son Ashish Mohan Khokar, who continues its work of documentation and research. Arunodaya has, over the years, positioned itself as a platform that foregrounds training, continuity, and structured presentation. The ceremony was attended by dance Gurus Geetanjali Lal, Ambika Paniker, Sharon Lowen, Vanashree Rao, and Manjushree Chatterjee along with Dibakar Das, Deputy Director, Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, ACP Rajender Kalkal and Aman Nath (Neemrana Group).  SOCH team The opening presentation, Jagannath Ashtakam, was performed by the beginners' group, Manjari. Rooted in the Odissi Mangalacharan format, the piece moved through pushpanjali, bhumi pranam, and sabha pranam, before offering a verse from Adi Shankaracharya's composition. This was followed by Ahe Nila Saila, performed by the intermediate group, Shringar Manjari. Based on the devotional Odia bhajan by Salabega, the piece drew from well-known episodes associated with Lord Jagannath, including Gajendra Moksha and Draupadi's surrender. The choreography, originally by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and later rearranged by Ratna Bharati Acharya and Rahul Varshney, allowed the dancers to work within a familiar narrative structure. The programme continued with Odissi performances by dancers of SOCH: The junior group, Bhava Manjari, presented Sthayee, a composition inspired by sculptural stillness and rhythmic balance. The senior dancers of Rasa Manjari then presented Arabhi Pallavi. The second half of the programme featured Dasa Mahavidya, a longer work that explored the ten wisdom goddesses of the Shakta tradition. Presented by the senior dancers, the piece moved through contrasting moods and imagery, offering audiences to thoroughly enjoy the artistic brilliance of the dancers. Throughout the evening, P Praveen Kumar, the lone male dancer in the group, stood out for his expressive eyes and command of movement, adding a distinct presence to the group formation.  SOCH team What stood out across these presentations was the range of dancers sharing the same stage. From young children to senior practitioners in their sixties, the grace with which the dancers moved, regardless of experience, spoke of shared dedication. There was a clear sense of joy in performance, suggesting that the stage was as much about participation and discipline as it was about perfection. In between the performances, a short film marking 25 years of AttenDance was screened. The film outlined the publication's journey and its role in recording performances, artistes, and ideas across generations. AttenDance was founded in 1999 by Prof Mohan Khokar, as India's only dance yearbook dedicated entirely to documentation. The awards had already been presented earlier in Bengaluru. Senior critic Leela Venkataraman received the Mohan Khokar Dance Writing Award. Rama Vaidyanathan was honoured with the Rukmini Devi Overall Contribution Award. Other awardees included Jigyasa Giri for Uday Shankar Choreography Award, Guru Ratna Kumar received Lifetime Achievement Award. Special Mentions were given to Dr. Vandana Putanjani Purgus in the same event.  Pt Harish Gangani receiving the award  Rahul Varshney receiving the award In New Delhi, Pt. Harish Gangani received the M.K Saroja True Guru Shishya Parampara Award. Rahul Varshney received the Ram Gopal Award for Best Male Soloist. Special mentions were conferred upon Dr. Bhupinder Sachdev (Printways) and Sonya Wynne Singh who could not attend the event. Ashish Khokar appreciated the awardees of this year as Navarasa of Dance. After watching the performances by the students of SOCH, in his address, Khokar noted that while the award recognised Varshney as a performer, his work as a teacher is equally important and significant. Rooted in the guru-shishya Parampara, the awards were presented after shishyas offered 'Pada Puja', a traditional act of respect to their gurus. This gesture brought forward the values of respect and lineage that continue to shape Indian dance practice. The awards segment then moved towards its final leg with a noteworthy speech by Pt. Harish Gangani, in which he highlighted the importance of art and expressed his gratitude. Rahul Varshney then offered his vote of thanks, speaking simply about the students, teachers, collaborators, and supporters who make Arunodaya possible year after year. The evening drew to a close with Sharon Lowen's words of encouragement, as she acknowledged the collective effort of the SOCH team and expressed her appreciation for Rahul Varshney's sustained commitment to nurturing young dancers and building a space grounded in care and continuity. The evening expressed a sense of steady work carried forward over time. After all it is a journey, one shaped by training, trust, and a shared belief in the value of continuity within the performing arts. The evening concluded with a cozy dinner, during which performers came together in conversation, reflecting on a shared journey shaped by training, trust, and a belief in the value of continuity within the performing arts.  Rashmita Adhikari is a model, writer, and digital marketing enthusiast. With a Masters degree in Sociology, she is drawn to reading, storytelling, art, music, novels, anime, and spirituality. She currently works as a content editor at Punarjjani Bharat. |
