ICDMF Mumbai 2026 to Pay Grand Tribute to Kathak Legend Guru Pandit Kundan Lal Gangani Ji
Purvai Sanskriti Kala Vikas Kendra (PSKVK), Kolkata, founded by Guru Shri Apurba Kumar Choudhury and his daughter and disciple Nandinii Chaudhry Mohanty, will present ICDMF Mumbai 2026 at Rabindra Natya Mandir, Mumbai, from July 2 to July 5, 2026, with programmes commencing daily at 2:30 p.m.
The four-day festival is being organized as a heartfelt tribute to mark the Birth Centenary of the legendary Kathak maestro Guru Pandit Kundan Lal Gangani Ji. It will bring together eminent Gurus, acclaimed performers, and promising young artistes from across India in a vibrant celebration of the country’s rich classical dance heritage.
The festival will showcase captivating performances in Odissi, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Mohiniyattam, highlighting the diversity and timeless beauty of Indian classical dance traditions.
Classical dance competitions will be conducted every afternoon from July 2 to July 5, followed by daily prize distribution ceremonies. Each evening, audiences can look forward to inspiring performances by renowned classical dancers from different parts of the country. The distinguished panel of judges will also present special performances, making every evening a memorable cultural experience.
One of the major attractions of the festival is the Pandit Rajendra Gangani Award, which will be presented during the grand valedictory function on July 5. Exceptional solo classical dancers aged 18 years and above, selected through the preliminary rounds, will compete for this prestigious honour.
The festival is spearheaded by Nandinii Chaudhry Mohanty, an accomplished exponent of both Odissi and Kathak. She is currently undergoing advanced training in Odissi under Guru Ratikant Mohapatra and in Kathak under Guru Pandit Rajendra Gangani and Guru Pandit Harish Gangani. Earlier, she trained under Guru Giridhari Nayak, Guru Sudha Dutta, Guru Shukla Chakraborty, and her father, Guru Shri Apurba Kumar Choudhury, giving her artistic journey the strength of several distinguished classical traditions.
The presence of eminent Gurus and mentors throughout the festival is expected to inspire the younger generation of dancers while reinforcing the importance of preserving India’s rich cultural heritage.
The activities of Purvai Sanskriti Kala Vikas Kendra are supported by Kinnara (Guwahati), Nriya Upasana (Kolkata), Nrityanjali (Jabalpur), Madhuchhanda Society (Malda), along with several cultural organisations, well-wishers, and artist associates who have consistently contributed to the success of the festival.
They have extended a warm invitation to dance enthusiasts, students, Gurus, artistes, connoisseurs, and patrons of Indian classical arts to participate in this grand celebration and pay tribute to the immortal legacy of Guru Pandit Kundan Lal Gangani Ji, one of the greatest exponents of the Jaipur Gharana of Kathak.
By… Guru Vijayshanker
