Mumbai : In the city that never sleeps – where the hum of traffic meets the rhythm of dreams – Mumbai witnessed an evening of divine resonance and cultural splendour as Arunodaya Kala Niketan, the city’s eminent 66-year-old institution, celebrated its Suvarna Mahotsavam on 2nd November 2025, a festival of music and dance paying homage to its illustrious founder, Vidwan Guru M. N. Suvarna Ji. The grand event was curated by Dr. Guru Meenakshi Shriyan, Artistic Director of Arunodaya Kala Niketan, who continues the glorious legacy of her father with devotion and artistic excellence.
The festival commenced with a musical prelude, setting the tone for an evening steeped in classical artistry. The Thyagesha Academy under Guru Dakshinamurthy, Swarathmika School of Music led by Guru Vishnudas Nedumpilli, and the venerable Sri Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Vidyalaya presented soulful renditions that evoked the spirit of tradition and devotion.
The inaugural dance segment opened with a vibrant invocation – “Ananda Nartana Ganapati”, performed by the disciples of Dr. Guru Meenakshi Shriyan, as a heartfelt tribute to Guru Suvarna Ji. What followed was a breathtaking sequence of performances by some of the nation’s most esteemed dance institutions:
Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya presented “Ekalavya”, a powerful choreography by Dr. Guru Uma Rele, portraying the essence of dedication and guru-bhakti.
Sarfojiraje’s Bharata College of Fine Arts and Culture offered “Sapta Tandava Stotram”, a magnificent composition choreographed by Dr. Guru Sandhya Purecha, capturing the dynamic energies of Lord Shiva.
Vaishnavi Kalakshetra, under Guru Asha Nambiar, brought forth the grace of Odissi through the spiritually charged “Shiva Tandava”.
Naad Nidhi, led by Guru Nidhi Prabhu, illuminated the stage with an exuberant Kathak presentation, marked by rhythmic brilliance and visual vibrancy.
The evening concluded with a spirited Kuchipudi performance by Nrithya Kalanjali Institute of Fine Arts, under Guru Ramesh Koli, whose dancers enthralled the audience with their fluidity and precision.
The festival was inaugurated by an ensemble of renowned Gurus from the participating institutions, who lit the ceremonial lamp, symbolizing the light of wisdom and artistic purity. The Hon’ble dignitaries – Chief Guest Shri Samir Zaveri, Guest of Honour Shri Chetan Trivedi and Shri Hitesh Singh – graced the occasion by placing the traditional flower in the Patra, a gesture deeply rooted in South Indian ritual tradition, marking the auspicious commencement of the celebration.
Commemorating 66 glorious years of cultural excellence, the event featured over 60 young artists, disciples of Arunodaya Kala Niketan, who carried forward the institution’s timeless values through their vibrant performances. A poignant highlight of the evening was the performance by Guru Suvarna Ji’s senior-most disciple, now aged 70, offering her Bharatanatyam recital as a heartfelt tribute to her revered Guru – a moving symbol of the unbroken guru-shishya parampara. The institution felicitated artists from different fields who have contributed in preserving our Rich Indian culture Shri Ashok Pakkala,
Shri Naveen Innabalike, Shri Mohan Rai, Shri Manjunath Shettigar.
As the curtain fell, Mumbai shimmered not merely in lights but in spirit – its cultural heart pulsating with devotion, discipline, and divine artistry. The Suvarna Mahotsavam stood as a magnificent testament to the enduring power of Indian classical arts and to the golden journey of Arunodaya Kala Niketan, where every note, every step, and every gesture continues to celebrate the eternal dialogue between tradition and transcendence.
