The cultural landscape of Kolkata was enriched as the AMI Arts Festival 2025 inaugurated the fourth edition of UTSAV at the iconic Victoria Memorial Hall (VMH) on Thursday. This significant event marks a continued collaboration between VMH and the Kolkata Centre for Creativity (KCC), bringing a month-long celebration of interdisciplinary arts to the city.
A Platform for Emerging Talent
Presented on the scenic South Lawns of VMH, the festival segment will run till December 6. UTSAV, KCC's dedicated platform for emerging performers, is designed to highlight promising young artists in dance, music, and elocution. This year's edition saw an overwhelming response, with over 200 applicants from across India. From this pool, a rigorous selection process identified 21 solo and group acts to perform.
The inauguration ceremony set a rhythmic tone with Taal Tarang, a captivating presentation by students of Manovikas Kendra. This was followed by the first set of performances by the selected awardees, setting the stage for the days to come. The evening was graced by an esteemed jury and cultural luminaries, including renowned dancer Priti Patel, eminent sarod player Pandit Anindya Banerjee, and celebrated vocalist Srikanta Acharya.
Strengthening Cultural Collaborations
Richa Agarwal, Chairperson of KCC, emphasized the profound importance of this partnership. She expressed her delight in strengthening the collaboration with the historic Victoria Memorial Hall, a symbol of the city's cultural legacy. Agarwal stated that the core aim of the platform is to nurture and spotlight the next generation of Indian performing artists.
"It is my privilege to bring young performers on a stage that stands as a symbol of the cultural legacy of our city," said Richa Agarwal. "I hope partnerships like these will help create more opportunities for emerging artists and give them a chance to learn, shine, and take their rightful place in the larger narrative of Indian arts."
Festival Scope and Duration
The broader AMI Arts Festival was launched on November 21, which coincides with KCC's Foundation Day. It promises a diverse and rich lineup of cultural offerings that will continue through December 21. The festival's programming includes:
- Art exhibitions and installations
- Insightful talks and panel discussions
- Live performances across genres
- Curated film screenings
- Interactive workshops for enthusiasts
This initiative underscores a committed effort to make the arts accessible and to provide a formidable launchpad for India's emerging artistic voices, right in the heart of Kolkata's heritage precinct.
