On International World Dance Day , Manipuri dancer Panchali gives credit to Guru Sri Sanjib Bhattacharya

Panchali a senior student and dancer resides in Kolkata and is married to renowned television actor Mr. Debraj Mukherjee. 

Srija Mukherjee, KalimNews, Calcutta, 29 April 2024 : Celebrated Manipuri dancer Panchali Mukherjee wishes the entire globe a Happy International World Dance Day today. 

Panchali a senior student and dancer resides in Kolkata and is married to renowned television actor Mr. Debraj Mukherjee. 

Panchali is a student of Angahar Dance Academy Kolkata. 

The beautiful dancer gives all the credit of her performing arts skills to Guru Sri Sanjib Bhattacharya. 

Guru Sri Bhattacharya currently resides in Cleveland Heights Ohio United States. 

International Dance Day is celebrated every year on April 29. International Dance Day is an annual celebration of how dancing positively impacts our lives.

International Dance Day stands as a global tribute to the art of dance, conceived by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), an essential partner of UNESCO in the realm of performing arts. This annual celebration commemorates the birth of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727–1810), revered as the progenitor of modern ballet. It distinguishes classical or romantic ballet, shaping its contemporary form. 

The essence of the day lies in fostering participation and enlightenment in dance through a myriad of events and festivals held worldwide on this significant date. UNESCO officially recognizes ITI as the architects and coordinators of this culturally enriching celebration. It was established by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), UNESCO's main partner for the performing arts. 

International Dance Day was created to celebrate dance as an art form and to promote its importance worldwide. The date was chosen to commemorate the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre, a French dancer and ballet master often credited as the creator of modern ballet.

The first International Day of Dance was celebrated in 1982. Since then, it has grown into a global celebration with events organised by dance communities, schools, companies and organisations around the world. These events often include performances, workshops, dance festivals, lectures and other activities aimed at raising awareness of the art of dance and its cultural significance. 

Each year, the ITI selects a prominent dance figure from the international community to write a message for International Dance Day, which is distributed worldwide. This message usually reflects on the importance of dance in society, its role in cultural exchange and the value of artistic expression through movement. 

Significance of International Day of Dance International Dance Day is a global celebration of the universal language of movement and expression. Established by the International Theatre Institute, it honours the artistry, cultural diversity and transformative power of dance, uniting communities worldwide in appreciation of this ancient form of human communication. 

Beyond its artistic merits, the Day serves as a platform to advocate for the importance of dance in education, health and social cohesion, fostering understanding and dialogue across borders while celebrating the unique traditions and innovations within the world of dance.

Panchali Mukherjee loves Manipuri dance which is also referred to as the Manipuri Raas Leela. It is a jagoi and is one of the major Indian classical dance forms, originating from the state of Manipur. It is one of the greatest cultural achievements of the traditional Vaishnavism adhering Meitei people of Manipur. Manipuri, one of the six classical dance styles of India, the others being bharata natyam, kathak, kathakali, kuchipudi, and odissi. 

Manipuri dance is indigenous to Manipur and is characterized by a variety of forms that are linked to folk tradition and ritual. Themes are generally taken from episodes in the life of Krishna, the pastoral god. During the dance interpretations a narrator may chant dialogue and descriptive action, interspersed with choral singing. Manipuri is smooth and graceful and technically easier and more limited than the other classic styles. Ankles are seldom belled, and the movement of the dance does not accentuate them, the steps being light and close to the floor. 

A flowing sway of the body and a liquid movement of the arms and hands characterize the women’s style; stronger and more forceful movements are used by men. The manipuri was popularized throughout India when, in 1917, the poet Rabindranath Tagore saw demonstrations of the art and brought back dance teachers to serve in his Vishva-Bharati University at Shantiniketan.

The state of Manipur is home to many styles of dance. Manipuri dances embrace both folk and classical forms of dance. The Raas Leela, a Manipuri dance form, is one of India’s eight primary classical dance forms. The Manipuri folk dances are performed primarily in devotion to local gods such as Umang Lai during festivals like Lai Haraoba. The dance forms of the numerous local tribes also contribute to the styles of Manipuri dance. It is usually performed by multiple groups where each group has its unique costumes, theme, patterns and expertise. 

India has eight primary classical dance forms, of which the Manipuri Dance or the Manipuri Raas Leela is one. The Manipuri Raas Leela is a dance drama considered a purely spiritual experience as it showcases the dance of the heavenly love of Lord Krishna with Radha, known as the Raas Leela. 

Like most classical Indian dances, the Manipuri dance traces its roots back to the Natya Shastra, an ancient Hindu Sanskrit text. It also culturally incorporates numerous local tribal dances and gains influences from them. Manipuri dance is primarily religious and aims to express spirituality. It is performed mainly during festivals and ceremonies such as weddings and rites, particularly by the Meitei people. 

Most of the Manipuri dance forms are said to have originated in temples and have been passed down verbally from time to time.Manipur has many styles of dance ranging from folk to classical and modern. The primary forms of Manipuri are the Raas Leela, a classical Indian dance form, Jagoi, Cholom and Thang-Ta, which is unique in a way as a martial art in dance form. All Manipuri folk dances and classical dances are spiritual and devotional. The dances of Manipur fascinate the observers with their exotic costumes and elegant rhythm. The dances contain a rich story depicting various folklore and form an integral part of the religious and social fabric of Manipur.