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REVIEW / REPORTSwami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan- Vijay Shankere-mail: vijaydance@gmail.com Photos: Parag Kulkarni June 26, 2026 The 67th Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan organised by Sur Singar Samsad in association with Nanavati Performing and Fine Art Forum and Modi Auto Group Pvt Ltd, commenced on 18th May and concluded on 20th May at Nanavati college auditorium, Mumbai. The three day festival of classical dances exposed distinct styles like Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Odissi and Sattriya. Some of the dancers rendered brilliant performances. The accomplished classical dancers selected to perform for the prestigious Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan were Prof Rahul Dev Mondal and Anusuya Sur Mondal, dynamic Bharatanatyam duo from Kolkata; Odissi by veteran dancer and mentor Niveditha Mukherjee (Mumbai) and her disciples; Kathak by the ardent disciples of the legendary Kathak exponent Pt Gopi Krishna, Vaibhav Joshi and Samruddhi Joshi; one of the best Bharatanatyam exponents of the country, Pavitra Bhat and Aparna Sastry; veteran Odissi mentor from Bhubaneshwar, Dr Guru Gajendra Panda and his group. The only Sattriya dancer to be featured from Guwahati was Khirud Bhuyan, Gwalior based Kathak exponent Anjana Jha, Surashree Bhattacharya and Priyanka Saha from New Delhi, Ruchi Sharma and group from Mumbai. The only Kuchipudi exponent to perform along with her selected disciples, was Guru Radha Mohan. The festival commenced with the vibrant and powerful Kathak performance by Vaibhav Joshi, who is among the foremost disciples of the legendary Kathak exponent, Pandit Gopi Krishna. The unique aspect of their performance is that they perform clockwise and anti-clockwise too, which happens in split seconds, hence creates a rare spectacle of circular movements. Vaibhav was accompanied by his wife Samruddhi Joshi and students. Their performance also created a fine impression pertaining to the expertise of the exposition of intricate footwork.  Rahul Dev Mondal and Anusuya Sur Mondal The next performer of the festival was Prof Rahul Dev Mondal and his wife Anusuya Sur Mondal. The duo made a fine start with Gokul Govardhana in praise of Lord Krishna, followed by the traditional and popular Natanam Adinar, which was particularly impressive for its nritta Karanas and akasha charis. Rahul has still maintained the boyish and youthful charm with vibrant and sharp movements as he danced the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva. The duo concluded with the Sabdam "Sarasijakshulu" which portrays the pranks of little Krishna, as everyone keeps complaining about him to mother Yashoda. Both Rahul and Anusuya make a fine duo, hence it's a pleasure to watch them perform.  Pavitra Bhat and Aparna Sastry Acclaimed dancers Pavitra Bhat and Aparna Sastry commenced their immaculate performance with "Vignarajam Baje" in praise of Lord Ganesh followed by the traditional Alarippu. However, the piece de resistance of the evening was the Ardhanarishwara number that portrayed the concept of Shiva and Shakti, Shiva without Shakti is like Shava, hence both are complimentary and supplementary to each other. While Shiva is adorned with the garland of skulls and the serpent, Parvati is adorned with Vyjayanthimala, incorporating the vibrant and elegant style of dancing with variety of movements, blending well with suitable poses that defines the masculine and feminine spirit. Three talented disciples Mrinalini, Aditi and Suvarna concluded the performance with a brisk Thillana.  Surashree Bhattacharya and Priyanka Saha (Photo: Mohit Wadhwan) Kathak duo Surashree Bhattacharya and Priyanka Saha (New Delhi) presented two interpretative numbers portraying the varied shades of love in "Sakhi hey re piya ghar aye" (My friend my Lord has arrived) and "Ghar na aaye hamari Shyam" (Krishna has still not returned home). While most Kathak performances delve more on rhythmic patterns and footwork, it was interesting to note here that interpretative dance was given more importance. They danced well with fine synchronisation and subtle expressions.  Khirud Borah The only Sattriya dancer of the festival Khirud Borah from Guwahati rendered a pleasing performance with dramatic overtones in Dashavataram incorporating the varied incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Khirud commenced his performance with Jaya Jaya in praise of Lord Krishna depicting varied episodes like Govardhana, Kaliya Mardana and Poothana Moksham. His performance was noteworthy for simple and stylized movements. Blessed with large expressive eyes and striking stage presence, Dr Anjana Jha from Gwalior, revealed her expertise in Kathak, commencing with Shiva Vandana, followed by the precise execution of Taal Dhamaar. Besides the Surdas Bhajan "Mala Tilak Manohara", Anjana concluded her wonderful performance with a Sargam in raag Bageshwari. Guru Gajendra Panda and his talented group presented "Incarnations" exposing the varied incarnations of Lord Vishnu with dramatic appeal, along with typical Odissi movements. Guru Gajendra's solo presentation "Malona uddhar" in praise of Lord Jagannath was well dramatized and enacted in depicting different types of devotees including that of a blind man, the instance of Gajendra Moksham, Draupadi Vastraharanam and the leprosy afflicted devotee.  Nivedita Mukherjee Mumbai's leading Odissi exponent and mentor, Guru Nivedita Mukherjee and her disciples commenced the performance with Shiva Mangalacharan, followed by the Behag Pallavi performed by four dancers, inclusive of the typical Odissi movements and tribangis, forming a fine synthesis of music, melody and rhythm, choreography by Guru Kelubabu and music by Pandit Bhubaneshwar Mishra. Nivedita performed an ashtapadi describing the pathos of unrequited love. Accomplished Kathak exponent and mentor Guru Ruchi Sharma commenced her performance with an invocatory number "Jidhar dekhiye Shyam birajeye" (You can visualise Shyam everywhere) based on the poetic rendition of poet Nirala. While the dancer revealed her mastery over footwork, the performance seemed more like a lecture demonstration. Ruchi received fine orchestral support from Narhari Acharya on tabla, vocal by Anurita Sharma and sarangi by Sangeet Mishra. The festival concluded with Dr Radha Mohan's group presentation of Shree Venkateshwara Kalyanam in the Kuchipudi style portraying the marriage of Lord Vishnu. The performance seemed more like a costume drama and required better synchronisation.  Vijay Shankar is a Kuchipudi and Kathakali exponent, teacher, bilingual journalist, arts critic and actor. |
