Guwahati: The 13th Pragjyoti International Dance Festival moved beyond the stage, combining performances, academic sessions and heritage initiatives across Guwahati and Goalpara.Organised by Kalpa, a Guwahati-based society working in literature, art, culture and social harmony, the festival was held in Guwahati on Sept 25-26 and in Goalpara on Sept 27-28.The Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, and Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra Society supported it. Gauhati University, Goalpara College, and Luit Kuwar Rudra Baruah State Music College partnered on academic programmes held in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.Curated by Sattriya exponent Anwesa Mahanta, the festival featured Odissi dancer Rohini Banerjee, Kathak dancer Sangeeta Bikram Dastidar, musicians and dancers of Kalpavriksha, Abhishek Das and artists from Goalpara.The Goalpara edition began on Sunday with a heritage walk at Surya Pahar and an interactive session under the sal trees, where classical dancers and local artists exchanged views. It also featured a Kushan Gaan performance by artists from Sattriya Sanskriti Vikas Kendra.An academic session at Goalpara College on Monday featured lecture-demonstrations and presentations by Banerjee, Dastidar, Das and Mahanta on dance heritage. The session concluded with a performance by the visiting artists and the Kalpavriksha dance ensemble at Natsurya Phani Sharma Bhavan.“Dance is not merely a reflection of our heritage, but a living, breathing dialogue across cultures and generations. As we gather for the festival, we celebrate the sacred space where tradition meets contemporary expression, inviting artists and audiences alike to experience the transcendent power of rhythm, movement, and shared human story,” Mahanta said.The Guwahati edition began on Sept 25 at the Centre for Performing Arts and Culture, Gauhati University, with lecture-demonstrations by Banerjee and Dastidar, a Bhortal performance by students and a screening of a student-made dance film.On Sept 26, Luit Kuwar Rudra Baruah State Music College hosted an academic session featuring lecture-demonstrations by Banerjee and Dastidar, an expert discussion, dance performances and screenings of student-made dance films.The festival concluded in Guwahati with an evening of dance at Sri Sri Madhavdev International Auditorium, Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra. Students and guardians of Kalpavriksha presented a Borgeet with khol accompaniment, directed by Devajit Saikia, a Sangeet Natak Akademi Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar-winning artist.The programme also featured classical performances by Banerjee, Dastidar and Mahanta, along with presentations by Kalpavriksha dance ensemble.
