Pune Gears Up for ‘Raja Mahotsav’ on June 15: A Cultural Celebration of Womanhood and Menstrual Awareness

Pune | June 9, 2025 — Pune is set to witness a grand cultural evening that blends art with awareness, as the Kalinga Kala Kendra Trust brings the vibrant ‘Raja Mahotsav 2025’ to the city on Sunday, June 15, at the prestigious Balgandharva Rangmandir. A celebration deeply rooted in Odisha’s tradition, this unique event will spotlight menstrual hygiene and the strength of womanhood through India’s classical dance heritage.

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A Cultural Tribute to the Feminine Spirit

In a city known for its deep appreciation of the arts, Raja Mahotsav promises to be a standout event not just for its artistic merit but for the strong message it carries. Organized under the guidance of Dr. Mamata Mishra, founder and president of the Kalinga Kala Kendra Trust, the festival will see a line-up of India’s renowned classical dancers performing nine classical dance forms, each narrating the essence of femininity, fertility, and tradition.

The event draws inspiration from Odisha’s traditional Raja festival, a four-day celebration marking the menstruation cycle of Mother Earth. “It’s a rare and powerful cultural practice that embraces a natural biological process with pride and celebration,” said Dr. Mishra during a press conference held in the city.

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‘Nritya Navratna’: Nine Classical Forms, One Powerful Message

A major highlight of the event will be the ‘Nritya Navratna’ segment, where nine celebrated female dancers from across India will come together to perform their respective classical dance styles. This rare collective presentation will represent unity in diversity and the pan-Indian respect for the feminine energy.

Here’s the stellar line-up:

• Odissi – Pujayita Bhattacharya (Odisha)
• Gaudiya Nritya – Paulomi Sakhalkar (West Bengal)
• Mohiniyattam – Suja Dinkar (Kerala)
• Kuchipudi – Dhanya Menon (Andhra Pradesh)
• Kathak – Mausumi Roy Dev (Uttar Pradesh)
• Kathakali – Paromita Mukherjee (Kerala)
• Manipuri – Sumana Chatterjee (Manipur)
• Sattriya – Yosha Roy (Assam)
• Bharatanatyam – Priya Bhattacharya (Tamil Nadu)

Each performance will explore themes of motherhood, menstruation, and feminine strength, offering the audience a rich, emotional, and culturally rooted experience.

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Honouring Tradition with Dance and Dialogue

Adding to the grandeur will be the much-anticipated Odissi group performance of the iconic piece ‘Banaste Dakila Gaja’, which epitomizes the festive mood of the Raja celebration in Odisha. Esteemed dancers such as Swagatika Mahapatra, Rashmita Prasad, Smita Das, Arunima Mohanty, and disciples of Madhumita Mishra are slated to perform.

A special folk dance on the evergreen Odia song ‘Rangabati’ will bring a regional flavor to the stage, reflecting the grassroots spirit of the original festival.

Dr. Mishra also elaborated on the symbolism behind Raja, which in Odisha is celebrated with rituals like Mithuna Sankranti, Sesha Raja, and Vasumati Snan, where Mother Earth is bathed in turmeric water and adorned with flowers to signify purity, rest, and renewal.

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A Platform for Awareness and Empowerment

Beyond the celebration, Raja Mahotsav 2025 aims to spark conversations about menstrual hygiene and women’s health, especially in communities where these topics are still surrounded by stigma. The Trust has been working on this front through its ongoing initiative ‘One Thought, Many States’, which promotes classical arts while tying in social themes for over 15 years.

At the press conference, Dr. Mishra was joined by Poornima Lunawat, CEO of Hirakani Social Foundation, which is supporting the event, along with Nikshita Sarangi (Secretary), Paulomi Chatterjee (Joint Secretary), and Loknath Sarangi (Treasurer) of the Trust. Their collective efforts aim to make Raja Mahotsav not just an artistic evening but a movement to normalize conversations around menstruation and womanhood.

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Raja Queen Crown: Felicitating Female Artists

In a touching tribute to the women behind this cultural showcase, each female performer will be felicitated with the ‘Raja Queen’ crown. “It’s our way of honouring not just their art, but their identity as women and change-makers,” said Mishra.

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Entry and Participation

Entry to the event is expected to be free and open to the public, with a strong turnout anticipated from Pune’s art lovers, students, and social activists alike. For those looking to witness a powerful convergence of culture and cause, Raja Mahotsav 2025 offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity.