REVIEW / REPORT

'Katha Sutra' - An evening of Kathak and Kathakali at Kolkata

- Jasashwi Chowdhury
e-mail: jasashwi.edu@gmail.com
Photos courtesy: Jasashwi Chowdhury

June 22, 2026

Dance, as a performance medium, expresses narratives beyond its written form. 'Katha Sutra' was an evening showcasing Indian classical dance as a phenomenal approach in transcending minds through the timeless art of storytelling. On June 14, 2026, it was a privilege for the dance aficionados of Kolkata to experience the essence of the two distinct dance forms - Kathakali and Kathak - both holding a splendid tradition of refined performance, at the Mahanayak Uttam Mancha. 'Katha,' in terms of verbal enactment, held a vital part, showcasing the dynamics of the art forms performed. It served as a 'Sutra', or the connection that brought the audience and the performers into sync.

Curated by Kolkata-based Kathakali artistes Ramyani Roy and Prolay Sarkar, the event was adorned with the performance of Kathak Guru Ashimbandhu Bhattacharya. The evening witnessed the resonance of the dance forms - one reigning in the northern parts of the country and the other from the extreme south, bearing a legacy of more than 300 years, through the impeccable performance of the artistes and their disciples. The prime attractions of the evening were a Kathakali production named 'Sita Anjaneya Katha' and a Kathak-based contemporary production 'Moonstruck'.

To give a brief overview of the curators, Ramyani Roy, the founder of the 'Prayash Center of Performing Arts', is a well-known female Kathakali actor from Bengal who is at the forefront of women who actively carry on the heritage and pass on the repertory to the next generation. Prolay Sarkar, being a leading visionary in the field, has been practicing the art for the last two decades, propagating Indian dance forms in 'Baksara Mudralap Art Academy', of which he is the principal. Both the artistes got their training by the eminent gurus of Kolkata and Kerala Kalamandalam. They have gained international recognition for their genuineness and commitment.

West Bengal has been one of the leading states of India with a myriad of Kathakali performers, for which the Nobel Laureate Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore must be acknowledged. It was under his patronage at Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, that the art form migrated and got its seed sown in terra of a distant state, and today, it's a boon for the aforementioned institutions to delve into the legacy.

Rakesh Bar and Roshmika Manna

'Arangetram' or 'Rangapravesham' - a practitioner's first public performance, is unique among Indian classical dance forms. It commemorates a turning point in a student's quest to become a performer. The first performance of the evening was such an evocative one. Rakesh Bar, a disciple of Prolay Sarkar, and Roshmika Manna, a disciple of Ramyani Roy, publicly performed Kathakali for the first time on 'Purappad', a traditional Kathakali nritta item. Both buds were in full blossom while wearing Krishna Vesham. They performed the first Nooka (set) behind the half-raised Theerashila (hand-held curtains) following the tradition, merging with the fourth Nooka to display their bold, zestful motions with sharp eye movements portraying the uniqueness of Kathakali.

Opening scene of 'Sita Anjaneya Katha' - Thiranoku of Hanuman by Prolay Sarkar

Sita by Ramyani Roy

Based on the Sundara Khanda of Ramayana, the production 'Sita Anjaneya Katha' was framed. It portrays an exchange of dialogue between Sita (enacted by Ramyani Roy) and Hanuman (enacted by Prolay Sarkar). The plot unveils as Hanuman in search of Sita visits Ashok Vatika, where he meets her. He conveys the message of Lord Rama and gives her the signet ring of Rama. In return, she gives Hanuman a hairpin, 'Chudamani' which Hanuman carries back to Rama. By maintaining a solid stance on the sthayee bhava and deftly manipulating fleeting emotions, the actors demonstrated their strength and experience from years of practice and devotion. Despite having a similar plot in Thoranayudham (a Kathakali play), verses were taken from the poet Tulsidas's famous work Ramacharitamanas. As per the words of the actors, they got the inspiration for working on this plot after watching an Odissi performance named 'Chudamani Pradan' choreographed by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. The production contributes to the history of the discipline since it is the first time ever a Kathakali play is produced in the Awadhi language, keeping the Sopana tradition of orchestra intact. The musical arrangement was done by Kalamandalam Viswas, makeup and chutti by Kalamandalam Sreejith. For directing and choreographing the dance sequences, all appreciation goes to Kalamandalam Neeraj.

Dancers of Upasana Centre for Dance

The evening concluded as Ashimbandhu Bhattacharjee, an eminent Kathak guru, along with his talented students from the 'Upasana Centre for Dance', captivated the audience with their production. The maestro is a distinguished Kathak exponent practicing the Lucknow and Jaipur gharanas for over forty years. Their performance, 'Moonstruck', was a feast for the senses, rich in poetry and beauty. Staging their first performance in 2018, it was their 37th performance on that evening. The story revolved around the various layers of mind and experiences of an introvert child and his only friend, the moon. The rhythmic movements beautifully captured the moon's alluring beauty covering its mythological stories. Music for the production was directed by Jayanta Banerjee on Amit Dasgupta's script. The production's luminous adornment was Soumen Chakraborty's incredible light design. The brilliant choreographies of Kathak diluting the bold line between classical and contemporary, 'Moonstruck' celebrated human's timeless fascination with the moon which created an unforgettable Kathak experience.

Ashimbandhu Bhattacharjee and disciples in Moonstruck

Bharatanatyam Guru Thankamani Kutty and Sujatha Ramalingam, along with other notable classical dancers of Kolkata, graced the occasion with their presence. The event was a tremendous success, as the applause and appreciation from the Prekshaka reflected a profound sense of joy and ecstasy, honoring the timeless beauty of the art forms.

Jasashwi Chowdhury is a Kolkata based Kathakali and Rabindra Nritya practitioner. A National Scholar under Ministry of Culture, India, he is currently pursuing Ph.D from Kerala Kalamandalam. He is an alumnus of Sangit Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, and is passionate about Literature, Arts and Indigenous Culture.