Raja Festival Comes Alive in Pune with Dazzling Classical Dance Extravaganza
Pune, 16th June 2025: In a vibrant display of India’s rich classical dance heritage, Pune witnessed a spellbinding cultural evening as the Raja Mahotsav 2025 was organised by the Kalinga Kala Kendra Trust at Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir. The festival, rooted in Odisha’s traditional Raja Parba, blended cultural artistry with social awareness by promoting menstrual health and honouring motherhood.
The highlight of the evening was the eclectic Navratna Dance Showcase, where nine classical dance forms—Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Gaudiya, Kathakali, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Manipuri, and Sattriya—were presented on a single stage. The performances left the audience mesmerized with their grace, emotive storytelling, and rhythmic precision. Enthusiastic applause followed the Odia group performance “Banaste Daakila Gaja, Barsake Thare Aasichi Raja” and the
electrifying folk number “Rangobati.”
The event was graced by Dr. Mamata Mishra—renowned dancer, singer and founder of Kalinga Kala Kendra Trust—along with IPS officer and Trust President Sanjeev Patjoshi, Secretary Sandeep Rana, Sondipa Rana, Subrakantha Mohanty, Hirkani Foundation CEO Poornima Lunawat, dancers Swagatika Mohapatra, Anupama Sen, Meenakshi Pulgaonkar, sponsor Leena Modi, Actor model Atul Gunjal and Arvind Budhani, and other trustees.
Presented with the support of Odisha Government’s Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, the festival was a true confluence of art and social impact. In a special tribute, all the women performers were crowned “Raja Queens” in recognition of their participation and representation of empowered womanhood.
The Navratna showcase featured: Pujayita Bhattacharya (Odissi – Odisha), Poulomi Sakalkar (Gaudiya – West Bengal), Suja Dinkar (Mohiniyattam – Kerala), Dhania Menon (Kuchipudi – Andhra Pradesh), Mousumi Roy-Deo (Kathak – Uttar Pradesh), Paromita Mukherjee (Kathakali – Kerala), Sumana Chatterjee (Manipuri – Manipur), Yosha Roy (Sattriya – Assam), Priya Bhattacharya (Bharatanatyam – Tamil Nadu).
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mamata Mishra said, “For the last 15 years, our Trust has promoted Indian classical arts under the theme ‘One Thought, Many States.’ Raja Mahotsav holds immense cultural significance in Odisha, where menstruation is not seen as a taboo, but as a natural, sacred phase celebrating womanhood and the nurturing power of Mother Earth. The word ‘Raja’ comes from ‘Rajaswala’, and the festival honours the menstruating goddess in every woman.”
She added that during this four-day celebration in Odisha, girls are treated like royalty, immersed in traditional rituals, sweets, swings, and joy—bringing together culture and health awareness in a unique, celebratory form.
