Wah Ustad 2026 – Kathak by Samila Bhattacharya and Hindustani Vocal Concert by Begum Parween Sultana in Kolkata

The concluding day of Wah Ustad 2026 continues the two-day Indian classical music and dance festival organised by Sangeet Amritam in association with VichitraShala Arts Consultancy at GD Birla Sabhaghar, Kolkata. The programme on 12 July 2026 presents a combination of Kathak dance and Hindustani classical vocal music, featuring senior artists and accomplished accompanists representing different streams of Indian classical performing arts.

The evening opens with a Kathak solo recital by Samila Bhattacharya. The performance is accompanied by Siddhartha Bhattacharya on tabla, Sunando Mukherjee on sarod, Akash Mukherjee on vocal support, Rick Mukherjee on flute, and Sohini Debnath on bol padhant. Together, the ensemble presents the rhythmic, expressive, and narrative elements of the Kathak tradition through nritta, abhinaya, and live musical interaction.

The festival concludes with a Hindustani classical vocal recital by Padma Bhushan Begum Parween Sultana, one of the foremost exponents of the Patiala gharana. Her performance is accompanied by Taalmani Pandit Mukundraj Deo on tabla and Pandit Jyoti Guha on harmonium. The recital presents the traditional khayal concert format, highlighting raga development, improvisation, and the collaborative role of the accompanying artists.

The second day of Wah Ustad 2026 brings together classical dance and Hindustani vocal music within a single programme, reflecting the festival's objective of presenting diverse Indian classical traditions through curated performances in Kolkata. The event also continues Sangeet Amritam's efforts to provide a platform for distinguished musicians, dancers, accompanists, and audiences dedicated to Indian classical music and dance.

Venue
GD Birla Sabhaghar, Kolkata

Organizer

• Sangeet Amritam
• VichitraShala Arts Consultancy

Artists

• Samila Bhattacharya – Kathak
• Siddhartha Bhattacharya – Tabla
• Sunando Mukherjee – Sarod
• Akash Mukherjee – Vocal
• Rick Mukherjee – Flute
• Sohini Debnath – Bol Padhant
• Padma Bhushan Begum Parween Sultana – Hindustani Classical Vocal
• Taalmani Pandit Mukundraj Deo – Tabla
• Pandit Jyoti Guha – Harmonium