Pune to Host Raja Mahotsav on June 15 To Celebrate Womanhood Through Classical Dance

Pune, 7th June 2025: The Kalinga Kala Kendra Trust is set to organise ‘Raja Mahotsav 2025’ on Sunday, June 15, at Balgandharva Rangmandir in Pune. The event aims to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene and honor the essence of motherhood through Indian classical dance. Addressing a press conference, Dr. Mamata Mishra, Founder President of the Trust, said the event will feature performances by artists from across India, showcasing nine classical dance forms.

The festival is inspired by Odisha’s traditional celebration of menstruation, known as ‘Raja’. The festival will include the famous Odissi dance piece ‘Banaste Dakila Gaja’ that captures the spirit of the Raja celebration, Mishra said. Noted dancers, including Swagatika Mahapatra, Rashmita Prasad, Smita Das, and Arunima Mohanty, will perform, along with disciples of Odissi dancer Madhumita Mishra

A highlight of the festival will be the ‘Nritya Navratna’ segment, featuring: Odissi by Pujayita Bhattacharya (Odisha), Gaudiya Nritya by Paulomi Sakhalkar (West Bengal), Mohiniyattam by Suja Dinkar (Kerala), Kuchipudi by Dhanya Menon (Andhra Pradesh), Kathak by Mausumi Roy Dev (Uttar Pradesh), Kathakali by Paromita Mukherjee (Kerala), Manipuri by Sumana Chatterjee (Manipur), Sattriya by Yosha Roy (Assam), Bharatanatyam by Priya Bhattacharya (Tamil Nadu). The event will also feature a folk dance on the popular Odia song ‘Rangabati’. All women performers will be felicitated with the ‘Raja Queen’ crown.

Dr. Mishra explained that the festival, celebrated over four days in Odisha, symbolises Mother Earth’s menstrual cycle and fertility. “It begins with the first day of menstruation, followed by Mithuna Sankranti, Sesha Raja, and ends with Vasumati Snan — where turmeric water and flowers are used in ritual bathing,” she added.

The Trust has been promoting Indian classical arts under the theme ‘One Thought Many States’ for the past 15 years. The Raja Mahotsav, Mishra said, ties together culture, tradition, and menstrual health awareness. Also present at the press meet were Poornima Lunawat, CEO of Hirakani Social Foundation; Trust’s secretary Nikshita Sarangi; joint secretary Paulomi Chatterjee, and treasurer Loknath Sarangi. Hirkani Social Foundation is supporting the event.