We offer our heartfelt tribute to the legendary Guru Pandit Kundan Lal Gangani on his 100th birth centenary through the International Indian Classical Dance & Music Festival (ICDMF), Mumbai 2026, organised by Purvai Sannskreetikala Vikaash Kendra from 2nd to 5th July 2026 at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Dadar, Mumbai. The festival also took the opportunity to honour the distinguished legacy of the Guru Pandit Kundan Lal Gangani Award, remembering Shri Rahul Mishra, Shri Rohit Mishra andShri Debdeep Misra, the respective award recipients for 2019, 2020 and 2021. The four-day festival brought together eminent artistes, accomplished performers and promising young talents from across India, celebrating the timeless richness, diversity and continuity of Indian classical dance and music. The festival commenced on 2nd July with its inauguration graced by Guru Pandit Harish Gangani of New Delhi. In remembrance of his illustrious father, Guru Harish Gangani presented evocative Kathak demonstrations on 2nd and 3rd July, offering the audience an insight into the depth, discipline and enduring legacy of the Gangani tradition. A significant highlight of the festival was the Guru Pandit Rajendra Gangani Award 2026, instituted to recognise excellence in Indian classical dance and encourage emerging artistes. Seventeen performers were selected, of whom seven were nominated for the Second Round, held on 5th July from 4:00 p.m. onwards. The finalists underwent a comprehensive evaluation encompassing both stage performance and a rigorous question-and-answer session, assessing their command over technique, grammar, tradition and theoretical knowledge of their respective classical forms. Following the final assessment, seven exceptional dancers were conferred the Guru Pandit Rajendra Gangani Award 2026: Mohul Mukherjee , Top 1 Jury’s Choice Award ( Bharatanatyam) ; Divyani Mohanty ,Top 2 – Jury’s Choice Award (Odissi); Gargi Das , Top 3 – Jury’s Choice Award ( Bharatanatyam), along with Pushpendu Sekhar Ghara(Bharatanatyam), Sharanya Nambiar( Kuchipudi) , Sesha Gireeshan ( Bharatanatyam) and Resham Bassi ( Bharatanatyam). The awardees displayed a compelling synthesis of technical command, expressive artistry and theoretical understanding. Mohul Mukherjee’s Bharatanatyam presentation was particularly striking and left a memorable impression on the audience. The prize-distribution ceremony was graced by Advisor Shri Huzefa Mun, Sitarist Ustad Rafat Khan and Our Chief Guest Shri Shalabh Nayak, Director of Nrityanjali Kala Academy, in association with Khairagarh University, whose distinguished contribution to the promotion and development of Indian classical dance has enriched the cultural fraternity. The festival was enriched by a distinguished panel of judges and eminent personalities from the classical dance fraternity. Shri Kamal Kishor Bandil and Smt Shraddha Hardikar Shinde, eminent judges and accomplished Kathak exponent, presented captivating performance that left the audience spellbound. Smt. Kamna Naik from Jabalpur, founder of Nrityanjali Kala Academy, brought her extensive knowledge and experience to the judging panel and also mesmerized the audience with her performances in Bharatanatyam and Odissi.
Their presence added considerable artistic depth to the festival and reflected the importance placed on both knowledge and performance within the programme.Smt. Nandini Chaudhry Mohanty, Festival Director, played a pivotal role in conceptualising, coordinating and bringing together the extensive four-day programme. Alongside her organisational responsibilities, she also took the stage with her own artistic presentation, reflecting her enduring dedication to Indian classical dance and the performing arts.Her Odissi presentation was mesmerising. Her Kathak solo presentation delighted the audiences. The festival unfolded as a vibrant confluence of diverse artistic voices. Smt. Keya Bhaduri Bhattacharya, an eminent Bharatanatyam Guru from Kolkata, presented alongside her disciple Parama Bhattacharya, reflecting the beauty and continuity of the Guru–shishya tradition. Smt. Nibedita Tarafdar from Assam further enriched the programme with her graceful Bharatanatyam presentation. Aruksha Naik displayed remarkable versatility by presenting Odissi, Bharatanatyam and Kathak across the festival, with one classical form presented on each day. The audience was also captivated by Kathak live solo presentations by Smt Manasi Limaye and Divyani showcasing the rhythmic vitality and expressive splendour of the form. The musical dimension of the festival was enriched by Shri Amitanand Ray and Shri Shrirang Tembe, who contributed as vocalists and accompanists across the various presentations, providing an accomplished musical foundation to the performances. Their contribution, along with that of the accompanying artistes, added depth, rhythm and cohesion to the festival’s artistic presentations.Our Talent Hunts are Sanskruti Veggalam, Samruddhi Veggalam, Saanvi Gupta,Sakshi Shetty,Swastika Padhi ICDMF Mumbai 2026 ultimately emerged as a celebration of legacy, artistry, knowledge and emerging talent—honouring the masters who have shaped Indian classical traditions while creating meaningful opportunities for the next generation. Through the festival and the Guru Pandit Rajendra Gangani Award, Purvai Sannskreetikala Vikaash Kendra continues its endeavour to preserve, promote and celebrate India’s profound classical heritage, while building a meaningful bridge between established artistes and the promising performers of tomorrow.
Guru vijay shanker
