Ulatpuran by Sutapa Talukdar & Ensemble

Discover an Odissi ballet experimenting with the rhythmic beauty of Bengal’s Kirtan and Tagore songs through the expressive language of classical dance.
Ulatpuran, meaning “the reversal of hierarchies”, is an Odissi dance ballet experimenting with two integral cultural traditions of Bengal — Rabindrasangeet and Kirtan. While Rabindrasangeet reflects Rabindranath Tagore’s philosophical engagement with the Upanishads, Kirtan draws from the devotional spirit of Vaishnavism and the Bhakti movement. Through Indian classical dance, the production offers a fresh perspective on these deeply rooted musical forms.

Conceived by music exponent Padmashree Pandit Tejendra Narayan Majumder and SNA awardee Vidushi Sutapa Talukdar, the evening brings together various Rabindra Sangeet songs with intricate tala patterns that are rarely used, and uncommon yet soulful Kirtan songs. Moving beyond familiar literary interpretations, the ballet explores its rich musicality, intricate rhythms and emotional depth through the grammar, footwork and movement vocabulary of Indian classical dance.
Drawing from both Hindustani and Carnatic classical influences, the production creates a striking visual language while preserving the poetic essence and devotional spirit of the original forms. Balancing classical precision with the accessibility of popular expression, Ulatpuran becomes a deeply rooted exploration of rhythm, poetry, devotion and movement.
This performance is supported by Reliance Foundation.