By — Dilip Guha
The 12th Bengal Mango Mela & Handloom-Handicrafts Expo 2026 at Chittaranjan Park Bangiya Samaj concluded on Sunday, 5 July, with an unforgettable cultural evening that celebrated Bengal’s rich artistic legacy through instrumental music, dance, and tradition. The packed auditorium witnessed a remarkable fusion of Rabindra Sangeet, folk, devotional, and classical performances, bringing the festival to a fittingly vibrant close.
The evening opened with the debut performance of Suradhanu, a local instrumental ensemble that captivated audiences with a thoughtfully curated musical journey. Featuring Anirudh Chowdhury (Keyboard), Ashim Das (Tabla, Bangla Dhol, Khol & Kanjira), Amaresh Chakraborty (Octopad & Drums), Avijit Chakraborty (Flute), and Mintal Gazi (Guitar, Mandolin, Taaner & Ektara), the group presented a seamless blend of devotional, folk, classical, cinematic, and Western influences.
Beginning with the soulful Rai Jago Kirtan, the repertoire travelled through the rustic charm of Gram Chara Oi Rangamatir Poth, the elegance of Raag Jog, folk favourite Montare, tributes to maestro Satyajit Ray, lively country folk rhythms, and culminated in Ekla Cholo Re before concluding with the collective chant of Hori Bol. The carefully crafted arrangement reflected Bengal’s musical evolution—from tradition to modernity and from local roots to global resonance.
Reflecting on the concept behind the performance, Anirudh Chowdhury said, “The mangoes were almost gone, but the music had just begun. On the last evening at Chittaranjan Park Bangiya Samaj, we let the instruments do the talking. No lyrics, no vocals — just kirtan, Rabindra Sangeet and Bangla music, with a touch of classical fusion. When words fall away, people listen with their hearts.”
He further added, “Bangla Music poured entirely through instruments, with some classical fusion stirred in for good measure, played by us musicians who’ve spent decades perfecting this craft in Delhi. This new blend of instrumental music floated through the room without a single word attached to it, and somehow that made people listen harder, not less.”
Expressing gratitude to the organisers, he said, “We’re grateful to Dr. Saswato Dawn and the office of the Principal Resident Commissioner of West Bengal for trusting us to close the festival this way. Some nights you remember what was said. We’ll remember this one for everything that didn’t need to be said.”
Speaking on behalf of the ensemble after the performance, Amaresh Chakraborty remarked, “This was our very first preparation. There were a few rough edges, but we managed, and hopefully it went well. We are sincerely thankful to the office of the Principal Resident Commissioner for giving us this opportunity. The group expressed gratitude to dignitaries present, including Dr Saswato Dawn, Ashish Jana, and senior guest Amitabh Mukhopadhyay.”
The second major presentation of the evening came from Nritya Kalakshetra Bharatanatyam, led by acclaimed danseuse Dr Deepa Chatterjee, whose specially choreographed production, A Bengal Story in Nine Acts, beautifully combined Bengal’s folk heritage, Baul traditions, Rabindra Sangeet, and devotional music through Bharatanatyam.
A distinguished disciple of Padma Bhushan Dr Yamini Krishnamurthy, Dr Chatterjee has devoted over four decades to classical dance. Founder of Nritya Kalakshetra Bharatanatyam in 1995, she has trained generations of young dancers across Delhi-NCR while preserving the richness of Bharatanatyam alongside Bengal’s cultural traditions.
Her production unfolded through nine thematic presentations performed by the young artists of the institution. Beginning with the devotional Hridoyo Mondrilo Damru Guru, the performance moved through lively rural folk dances, Baul-inspired choreography, spring celebrations, Rabindra Sangeet compositions, tribal-inspired movements, and concluded with the emotionally charged devotional finale Kar Maiya Rone Nache. Each performance reflected the spirit of Bengal while showcasing the discipline and artistry of the young performers.
The seamless execution by the backstage team and the enthusiastic response from the audience added to the success of the presentation, with sustained applause greeting each act.
In a distinctive tradition of the Bengal Mango Mela, the Office of the Principal Resident Commissioner, Government of West Bengal, felicitated the participating artistes with crates of Bengal mangoes. As the anchor aptly remarked, “Just as Bengal’s mangoes are unique, so was their performance — rooted in our soil and Indian classical gharana.”
Bringing together instrumental innovation, classical dance, folk traditions, and Rabindrik heritage, the grand finale embodied the cultural essence of Bengal. The concluding evening left Delhi audiences with a memorable celebration of music, dance, and artistic excellence, perfectly complementing the festival’s larger mission of promoting Bengal’s cultural and handicraft heritage.
