Blog Details
22nd September, 2017

‘The radiating classical journey of…..Amita Duta’

‘AmitaDutta’, the eminent katthak dancer, Uday Shankar Professor of Dance and Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at RabindraBharati University, has been serving the classical world of dance more than two decades. She was trained in the strictest classical traditions under Pdt. BirjuMaharaj, Prof. BelaArnab, Pdt. Vijay Shankar and other leading maestros of Kathakgharanas. She danced with the hypnotic force and subtle sensitivity incorporating rhythmic virtuosity with delicate expressiveness,’taiyaari’ with mastery in ‘abhinayanga’. Apart from being a prolific dancer, she is also a scholar, choreographer and professor. Her prime aim is to popularize her traditional dance-form and she spread the message of her art-form from home to abroad. Her innovative, analytic, multi-dimensional mind has also continuously encouraged to experiment with new ideas expanding the boundaries of Katthak. We find in her dance-form a successful mixture of tradition and talent, environmental totality as well as breathtaking dynamism. Amongst the innumerable awards and honors conferred on her, mention may be made of the titles of ‘Singar Mani’, ‘NrityaUrvashi’, ‘NrityaSagar’ and ‘NrityaBharati’.

AmitaDutta having her roots in Kolkata, she has performed across the worldincluding the three continents.Among her innumerable dance recitals in prestigious dance and music festivals such as the khajuraho festival, the Konark Festival, UtsavMahakaleshwar, RajgirMahotsav, the BiswaBanga Millennium Festival, the First South Asian Festival of SAARC Countries, the India Festival in USSR, the American Dance Festival, North American Bengali Conference, NrityaNityaUtsav, and so on.

Besides being an extraordinary dancer she is also a brilliant student of English Literature and Gold Medalist from the Calcutta University.Her academic background has fully supported her to popularize her dance form through her prolific publications in major books and journals such as Bhakti in Indian Classical Dances, DeshBinodon 1987 (Special Issue on Dance), The Statesman Festival Number 1990, Special Independence Golden Jubilee Issue of Desh and Dance Specials of Nandan.

Her present passion is to reconstruct the Bengal Gharana of Kathak. Over the last one hundred fifty years Kathak has become an integrate part of the cultural heritage of Bengal. She eagers to crystallize Bengal’s contribution to Kathak – which also features her creations – and lay the foundations of the Bengal Gharana of Kathak. Apart from the unique dancer, she was a dedicated teacher as well. Her students include National and State Scholarship Awardees, University Gold Medalists and successful performers. She was also the research advisor of many scholars. She choreographed and presented many innovative dance programs and documented many dance productions. To popularize and make available authentic training of Kathak all over the world, she has started the ‘special program of teaching’ through the television and web.

She was always eager to serve our society. She has given various performances for social service causes – both to create awareness and collect funding. She is the Director of the Performing Arts Therapy Centre at RabindraBharati University in Kolkata where research is conducted and training session is given to serve the impaired scholars through dance, drama and music.

‘Devi Durga’, the goddess of power and strength, She is a multi-dimensional Goddess, with many names, many personas, and many facets. Similarly, AmitaDutta, the prolific dancer, dedicated teacher, social activist, and her multi-dimensionaltalents not only enrich our society as well as our nation too. Above the all she became the ‘Traveller’. The relentless journey of her life motivates us. Her effortless cultural journey re-establishes the Bengal Gharana of Kathak over the world. She became our ‘ Real Durga ‘. We are highly acknowledged to honor and felicitate her.

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