'Buddhacharita' to commemorate First World War centenary

Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC), Dhaka presented a dance drama by Dr Mahua Mukherjee on 'Buddhacharita' - in Sanskrita Mahakavya by Asvaghosaon the life of Gautam Buddha at the main auditorium of National Museum in Shahbag of the capital. She has been performing Buddhacharita from 2014-2018 in different places to mark the First World War centenary. The performance was dedicated to the victims of the war.

With over 40 years of research work, she has revived and reestablished Gaudiya Nritya, a classical dance form of Bengal, which is more than 2000 years old. Set in the Gaudiya Nritya steps amalgamated with the nava rasa, the story of Gautam Buddha was beautifully transcended to the audience. The script, choreography and performance of the dance drama were by Dr Mahua Mukherjee herself. The music was done by her son Ayan Mukherjee and her nephew, Subhadeep Chakraborty. Her students, Rachel Priyanka Paris and Moushumi Barman performed with her.

Dr Mahua Mukherjee held Tagore Chair at the University of Dhaka. She has done her Botany specialisation in Cytogenetics from Calcutta University. In India, she is a Professor at the Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata and was the Dean of the same institute from 2013 – 2016.

The artiste was given a token of appreciation by IGCC Director Vishal Jyoti Das. Emninent cultural personnel Kamal Lohani, Dr. Enamul Haq and many more were present at the show. Dr Mahua Mukherjee will be returning home today after serving her term at the University of Dhaka.