For a world that is confined by political and technological dynamism, music, art and culture come as breath of fresh air that upholds its identity and helps every soul find anchorage. Under the wing of Utsav Educational and Cultural Society’s Founder-President Smt. Ranjana Gauhar – Padmashree and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee- the society has come forward to herald the momentous occasion of Indian Independence Day on August 9th and 10th, 2023. The event will take place at Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi with the 18th presentation of their flagship production – “Saare Jahan se Achchha.”
The production commemorates India’s struggle for freedom in the form of Musical Dance Drama “Khud Mein Kabir, Kabir Mein Hum” and other dance forms – Odissi and Mohiniyattam performed by seasoned and established artists. Spread over two days the festival would pay tribute to the martyrs and achievers of the nation in its own unique language.
Programme on the 9th of August, 2023 would feature Utsav’s Repertory and Guru Ranjana Gauhar bringing out the life & philosophy of Sant Kabir in a Musical Dance Drama “Khud Mein Kabir, Kabir Mein Hum” embellished with melodies composed by Shri Saroj Mohanty.
Second Day, August 10th, 2023 would witness fluidity personified in the form of Odissi Dancer Vinod Kevin Bachan in the first act. The former would converge into another feminine and delicate performance by Guru Jayaprabha Menon and disciples through Mohiniyattam finally breaking into a suave presentation of Odissi by Gurus Ashok and Bandita Goshal and disciples.
Enthralled for having a magnificent spectacle for Delhi folks for the 18th time, Smt. Ranjana Gauhar remarked, “I consider myself fortunate to serve of the Indian Arts and Cultural realm. For 35 years, through Utsav we have organized major annual dance festivals such as Unbound Beats of India that unleashes new horizons for upcoming and outstanding dancers; Su- Tarang that celebrates young dancers on World Dance Day that is absolutely free-spirited and allows one to express themselves uninhibited!
Through Saare Jahan Se Achchha we offer a platform where senior and established dancers of the country pay their tribute to real heroes of the nation. Talented artists in Indian and abroad from different genres of Indian classical dance perform at these festivals at Delhi’s most popular cultural hubs to a discerning audience and rasikas.
It satisfies me that we have been very well received by viewers through decades and am hopeful that in our small ways we will help the legacy of Indian Heritage stay alive for centuries to come.”
Gaiety, grace and strength are the hallmark of Ranjana’s performances, compelling the spell-bound audiences to describe her recital as an experience in sublime spiritual odyssey. Ranjanaji has travelled with her art of Odissi dance across the length and breadth of the country. She has participated in prestigious dance festivals including Khajuraho Festival, Kalidas Festival in Ujjain and Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale Centenary Festival at Kalakshetra. This cultural ambassador of India has performed at the Festival of India, Queen Elizabeth Royal Festival Hall, The Royal Hall of Plymouth, the Commonwealth Institute, Oxford university, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Dahlem Museum, Berlin, West Germany besides having performed in other cities in Germany, Italy, France, Greece, Serbia, Cyprus, Kuwait, Switzerland, Tunisia, Yugoslavia, Japan, Holland, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Croatia and Latin American Countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Mexico.
Her talent in blending the traditional with the contemporary, her imagery, which is both innovative and individualistic, has made Ranjana all the more appealing to the audience at home and abroad.