Dance students of AB Block-based Busy Bee presented an evening of western dance at Rabindra Okakura Bhavan recently.
The event started with ballet and was followed by jazz and then a kathak and tap dance fusion piece. “I have learnt Bharatanatyam for many years but am learning these western styles for the past year and half,” said Sayani Chakraborti, one of the dancers for this piece. “Ballet and jazz are challenging but I am enjoying it,” she added.
Along with western music, they played some Indian scores for the ballet act and the programme ended with another beautiful ballet piece by the senior students. At the end, all the performers came together on stage for a final bow.
In the green room, the youngsters said they were learning ballet as they liked the pretty costumes. Some were inspired by watching Barbie dance in the film series. “I find lyrical hip hop and jazz interesting and I am looking forward to learning tap dance. I am inspired by the dancer Channing Tatum, the dancer from the film Step Up, and our teacher at the institute Ronnie sir,” said Sameera Bhattacharya, a student of Class IX.
The popularity of Ronnie Shambik Ghose, a graduate in performing arts from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, was apparent when a group of teenagers echoed her screaming: “We want to dance like Ronnie sir.”
For the western dance classes, multi-activity centre Busy Bee has tied up with Rhythmosiac, that specialises in teaching the said forms.
Sanhita Koley
Bidhan Sishu Udyan in Ultadanga hosted a two-day ceremony to mark the 111th birth anniversary of its founder, politician Atulya Ghosh.
The first day was a felicitation that started with the girls who learn at the centre singing a Rabindra Sangeet for their beloved dadu. The chief guest was writer Sanjib Chattopadhyay who has been associated with the organisation since its establishment.
Seven personalities who have worked to uplift the deprived sections of society were honoured with the Atulya Ghosh Smriti Shamman.
Osman Gani, former head of the department of Islamic history and culture of Calcutta University, was one of them. Though unwell, he attended the occasion. Gani has authored a number of books explaining the true meaning of The Quran and he stressed on the need to make everyone believe that humanity was the only religion.
Tridib Chatterjee, the general secretary of the Publishers and Booksellers Guild which organises the Book Fair, was also felicitated. Not only has the guild, under his leadership, been successful in spreading the name of the fair, but he has also taken steps to provide books to under-privileged students free of cost.
Danseuse Alakananda Roy also received the award for her role in bringing convicts back to the mainstream. Ray talked about children whose parents have been imprisoned. “With no guardian to look after them they often fall into bad company. Thus arises the need of giving these children proper education,” she said.
Dr Pijush Kanti Das, another awardee, has been practising in the remote villages of Malda for more than 20 years. He is the only doctor within a radius of 20km in the area.
Another recipient, Milan Dutta, has set up schools in Malda and the Sunderbans to teach the underprivileged. In Malda, his school got washed away in floods but he is keeping up the good work in the Sunderbans.
Other than them, Balaram Hazra, the son of a farmer who came eighth in the Madhyamik examination, was felicitated.
This ceremony was followed by a short cultural programme, in which the kids displayed yoga postures, taekwondo moves and dance steps.
Shreya Chatterjee
The Salt Lake unit of the senior citizen’s group Dignity Foundation hosted a programme at the Vidyasagar Niketan auditorium to celebrate Christmas.
The programme began with the felicitation of Ratish Ranjan Bhattacharya, a member who has completed 90 years of age. He was felicitated by another nonagenerian Santosh Ganguly, who turned 90 last year. Bhattacharya shared some anecdotes of his life, including how he has made his retired life meaningful and happy.
He lost his wife long back but still does not feel lonely. He visits friends and relatives at their homes and abroad and has thus transformed his weaknesses into strength through motivation and change of attitude.
The felicitation was followed by a short cultural programme in which senior members sang Rabindrasangeet and modern songs. Joydev Bose, a member, sang a song popularised by Shyamal Mitra and received applause from the audience. Another attraction was carol singing by young talent Soumita Sarkar.
An octogenarian member, H.L. Moitra, dressed as Santa Clause, greeted and waved, entertained and posed for all and showered good wishes. Handmade colourful caps were distributed among everyone present.
Convenor of the programme, D.K. Ghosh, said such programmes were an opportunity to rejuvenate and cheer elderly members.
Bharati Kanjilal
The department of post will host Kolpex, an exhibition of stamps, at Nazrul Tirtha in New Town. The three-day event will be inaugurated on March 11 at noon by secretary of the department of urban development and municipal affairs Debashis Sen, who also heads Hidco. Other than an exhibition of stamps with Calcutta as theme, there will be a quiz and a sit-and-draw contest for children. The exhibition will be open to all from noon to 8pm.
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