A grand celebration of dance, devotion and India’s rich cultural heritage
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Siliguri, Oct 14: The two-day Agomoni Nritya Utsav 2026, organised by Nritya Mallika Dance Academy, Siliguri, concluded successfully with vibrant performances, enthusiastic participation and a celebration of India’s rich cultural diversity. Dedicated to welcoming Maa Durga, the festival brought together eminent gurus, distinguished guests, established artists and young dancers on a common platform to celebrate the beauty of Indian dance, music and tradition.
The festival commenced on 7 October at Dinabandhu Mancha, Siliguri, in the presence of several distinguished personalities, including renowned dancer and SNA Awardee Guru Dr. Shobha Koser of Chandigarh, Dr. Shankar Ghosh, Hon’ble MLA, Vidushi Dr. Samita Koser, Shri Sajal Koser, Dr. Upendra Sharma and Vidushi Sangita Chaki, along with other eminent personalities from the cultural fraternity.
One of the most touching moments of the inaugural programme was the heartfelt welcome and special felicitation accorded to Guruma, Guru Dr. Shobha Koser. The students and artists of Nritya Mallika Dance Academy expressed their profound respect, love and gratitude through this emotional gesture, creating an atmosphere filled with devotion, affection and joy.
Nearly 250 students of Nritya Mallika Dance Academy participated in the first day’s programme, presenting an impressive range of classical dance, Agomoni, Devi Vandana, Mahishasura Mardini and other devotional and thematic performances. The dance-drama Dashadike Durga emerged as a special attraction, receiving an overwhelming response from the audience and beautifully portraying the power, grace and divine presence of Maa Durga.
A significant highlight of the evening was the musical presentation by renowned sitarist Shri Subrata De, who travelled specially from Delhi to participate in the festival. Accompanied by tabla artist Shri Subir Adhikari, his soulful sitar recital enriched the dance presentations with musical depth, rhythm and emotional expression. The harmonious interplay of classical music and dance created a memorable experience for the audience.
The second day, held on 8 October at Rabindra Mancha, Shaktigarh, Siliguri, transformed the festival into a vibrant interregional Nritya Mahotsav. Dancers and artists from different parts of Eastern and North-Eastern India came together to showcase the richness and diversity of their respective dance traditions.
More than 45 talented artists from Assam participated, alongside dancers representing Alipurduar, Dinhata, Sikkim, Darjeeling and other regions. Around 150 dancers came together on one stage, presenting a colourful array of artistic expressions and cultural traditions. The programme featured a total of 72 dance performances across the festival, making it a remarkable celebration of artistic talent, dedication and cultural exchange.
The gathering of artists from diverse regions reflected the festival’s broader vision of building cultural bridges, encouraging mutual respect and strengthening unity through the universal language of dance. Beyond its devotional significance, Agomoni Nritya Utsav served as a meaningful platform for young performers to gain exposure, develop confidence and connect with the wider artistic community.
Speaking on the successful conclusion of the festival, Smt. Rimpi Saha Banik, Founder Director of Nritya Mallika Dance Academy, congratulated all the participating dancers, teachers and supporters and expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the artists who travelled from different places to perform on a common stage.
Sharing her vision, she said, “The more opportunities and platforms we provide to dancers, the more they can develop their talents, enhance their skills and gain the confidence to move forward in their artistic journeys.”
She emphasised that encouraging young dancers, recognising their abilities and providing meaningful performance opportunities are essential for nurturing the next generation of artists. With this objective, Nritya Mallika Dance Academy has consistently organised cultural programmes and dance events throughout the year, striving to bring artists from different regions together and promote artistic excellence, cultural exchange and harmony.
On behalf of the academy, Vidushi Smt.Rimpi Saha Banik conveyed her sincere thanks & gratefulness to Guruma, the distinguished guests, participating artists, students, parents, teachers, supporters, organisers and audiences whose valuable cooperation and enthusiastic participation contributed to the festival’s success. Thanks to our Media Partners like CA TV , Shreyas Webmedia Solutions & Shri Sugunan K.
The two-day Agomoni Nritya Utsav 2026 concluded on a note of joy, gratitude and renewed commitment to preserving and promoting India’s rich cultural heritage. The festival reaffirmed Nritya Mallika Dance Academy’s dedication to creating greater opportunities for emerging dancers and building larger platforms where talent, tradition and creativity can flourish.
Looking ahead, the academy aspires to organise more innovative and enriching cultural initiatives, bringing together an even greater number of dancers and artists from across India. Through such endeavours, it hopes to inspire the younger generation, strengthen cultural bonds and carry forward the timeless legacy of Indian dance and artistic expression with renewed enthusiasm and dedication.
