Rhythms of the Heart Anusha Cultural Academy’s 3rd Annual Showcase
Shankha Bhattacharyya
On the evening of April 12, Shishir Mancha Auditorium came alive with vibrant creativity and heartfelt performances as Anusha Cultural Academy hosted its 3rd Annual Cultural Programme. With a warm, appreciative audience in attendance, the event stood as a testament to the academy’s unwavering dedication to nurturing artistic talent and fostering a sense of community.

The evening began on a spiritual note with a soulful rendition of Anusha’s Bhajan, setting a serene tone and inviting the audience into a reflective state of mind. The formal inauguration was conducted by Ms. Sutapa Chakraborty, mother of Ajanta Chakraborty, whose graceful presence added dignity to the occasion.
A poignant moment followed—a solemn tribute to the late Alok Chanda, a senior and much-loved member of the academy. His absence was deeply felt, and his memory was honoured with heartfelt silence and remembrance.
The first major segment celebrated the academy’s young voices through a series of poetic recitations. Over twenty enthusiastic performers, ranging in age and style lit up the stage with their expressive delivery, breathing life into each verse and leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

Young Performers:
Adishree Chakraborty, Adrija Mukherjee, Ajita Dutta, Ahona Mukherjee, Orin Ghosh, Aranya Ghoshal, Ayesha Mondal, Dwirup Bhattacharya, Dhrya Das, Oshan Ghosh, Prapreeta Adhikari, Pushpita Raut, Somobh Bhattacharya, Sharanya Chakraborty, Sanvi Nandy, Shibansh Acharya, Shihan Haldar, Shirsha Ghara, Shon Mondal, Trishan Kar, Trishan Kole, Ushoshi Giri

The literary section of the evening stood out with four thoughtfully curated poetry collages. Each piece was carefully directed, carrying distinct thematic undertones:
- “Anubhobe Prakriti”, conceptualised by Siddhartha Dey, offered a meditative reflection on nature’s subtle rhythms.
- “Sunil Sagore” (glimpses into the life of poet Sunil Gangopadhyay), “Ek Chhotak Sukh”, and “Thakurbarir Kancha Mitha Aamb” were curated by Ajanta Chakraborty, exploring themes of nostalgia, fleeting joy, and the sweet simplicity of life.
These segments featured impassioned performances by seasoned artists, whose voices and interpretations added richness and depth to the written word.

Featured Performers:
Alokh Metia, Amrita Sen, Arko Ghoshal, Indrani Hait, Binita Raychowdhury, Chitra Ganguly, Krisha Ghosh, Kuheli Debnath, Madhumita Goswami, Moumita Banerjee, Mousumi Goswami, Mahua Ghosh, Nabonita Das Adhikari, Pratima Ghatak Sanyal, Rahul Raychowdhury, Shampa Lahiri, Shibani Pal, Soma Mondal, Sreeja Ghoshal, Sreejata Goswami, Sudipta Saha, Supriya Chowdhury, Swagata Bhattacharya
The highlight of the programme was “Megh Bollo”—a mesmerising duet of dance and recitation, originally by Subho Dasgupta. Performed by dancer Suhana Ahmed and reciter Ajanta Chakraborty, the piece achieved a seamless interplay of movement and voice, mesmerising the audience with its fluid rhythm and emotional resonance.

The evening culminated in the powerful radio drama “Agnyatobashe Krishna”, penned by Dhananjay Ghoshal. The performance—led by veteran radio artist Bijaylakshmi Barman (as Sairandhri (maid) / Draupadi) alongside Ajanta Chakraborty (as Queen Sudeshna ) — was a master class in voice acting, dramatic timing, and emotional depth.
This was followed by a harmonious group violin performance, composed and directed by the esteemed Pandit Anamit ra Mustafi. The pieces, both technically intricate and soul-stirring, stood as a brilliant representation of the group’s musical calibre.

The immersive music and background scores by Samar Dutta elevated the recitations, audio-play, storytelling, creating an unforgettable auditory experience.
As the final note was sung by Sharanya Chakraborty in a touching closing song, the audience rose in applause, deeply moved by the evening’s performances.

At the heart of it all was Ajanta Chakraborty, the visionary and driving force behind the entire conceptualisation and planning of the programme. Her leadership, artistic sensibility, a nd unwavering dedication ensured that every element of the event reflected the spirit and soul of Anusha Cultural Academy and once again brought the community together in celebration of art and expression.