Sriradha Dance foundation in the collaboration with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kolkata, with the support of Lexus Motors, is set to present the second Pragati Festival, a special evening dedicated to the memory and artistic legacy of revered Odissi guru and visionary artist Late Guru Poushali Mukherjee. Supported by Surajit Kala Associate and Sprish . 

The festival will be held on Wednesday, 9th of September 2026, at 6:30 PM at Gyanmanch Auditorium, Kolkata, bringing together accomplished dancers and students in an evening that celebrates the richness, discipline and enduring spirit of Indian classical dance.

Instituted in memory of Guru Poushali Mukherjee, the Pragati Festival seeks to honour her profound contribution to Odissi through her work as a performer, teacher and mentor. Her dedication to classical dance continues to inspire generations of artists, and the festival carries forward her vision by creating a platform for both established practitioners and emerging talent. This is supported by Surajit Kala Associate and Sprish.

Featured Performances : 

The evening will feature a thoughtfully curated line-up of Kathak and Odissi performances:

Kathak Duet: Debashree Bhattacharya & Sohini Debnath
Odissi Group Performance: Poushali Mukherjee Dance Academy
* Odissi Duet: Bichitra Behera & Sriradha Paul

The performances will showcase the distinctive vocabulary of Kathak and Odissi while reflecting the depth of India’s classical dance traditions.

Speaking on the occasion, the Organising Committee said, “Guru Poushali Mukherjee’s devotion to Odissi continues to inspire generations of dancers. The Pragati Festival was instituted to honour her lasting artistic contributions and nurture the classical dance traditions she cherished. We warmly invite cultural enthusiasts and art lovers across Kolkata to join us for this commemorative evening.”

The 2nd Pragati Festival is envisioned not only as a tribute to a remarkable guru but also as a celebration of the continuity of Indian classical dance. Through performances that bring together different generations and artistic voices, the festival aims to keep alive the values of tradition, learning and artistic excellence.

The exhibition features works by an impressive roster of artists, including Anjolie Ela Menon, Arpana Caur, G. Subramanian, Gurcharan Singh, Gurpreet Kaur, Jatin Das, Jayasri Burman, Jogen Chowdhury, K. Laxma Goud, Krishen Khanna, Krishnendu Porel, Maïté Delteil, Nagesh Goud, Naresh Kapuria, Nayanaa Kanodia, Ramesh Gorjala, Rameshwar Broota, Ranjeeta Kant, Sanjay Bhattacharya, Sakti Burman, Shipra Bhattacharya, Thota Vaikuntam, Vasundhara Broota and Vimmi Indra.

Bringing these diverse artistic voices together under one roof, HEADS offers an opportunity to witness how different generations and artistic practices interpret a universal subject. While some works engage with the face through realism and portraiture, others approach it through abstraction, symbolism, distortion, memory and imagination.

A particularly significant aspect of the exhibition is that several of the works have been created especially for this show, adding a sense of freshness and exclusivity to the collection. Alongside these new works, the exhibition presents carefully selected canvases that reflect the distinctive artistic vocabularies of renowned practitioners.

The exhibition is also held in loving memory of Late Dr. Manjit Kochhar, mother of Amrita Kochhar. An eminent doctor, Dr. Kochhar devoted her life to medicine, charity, seva and giving back to society. The exhibition serves as a heartfelt tribute to her life and values.

Speaking about the exhibition, Amrita Kochhar, Gallerist and Curator, said, “The head is perhaps one of the most powerful subjects in art. It carries identity, thought, emotion, memory and experience. With HEADS, we wanted to bring together artists who see this subject in profoundly different ways. Every face holds a story, and every artist reveals a different chapter.”

With its rare coming together of celebrated names and contemporary voices, HEADS – Every Face Holds a Story promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking exhibition for collectors, art enthusiasts and the wider public.

Talking about the experience, Love Gill says, “When I was slightly overweight, people would comment on my body. Then I lost weight, but even after that people had something to say. They would tell me I looked too thin or ask me if I ate anything. It felt like no matter what I did, people had an opinion about how I looked.”

Catch all the drama, fun and unexpected conversations 24/7 on @JioHotstar and every night on @ColorsTV.

This season introduces the unique ‘Tathas-Two’ theme with ‘Extra Jeevan Daan’. Adding to the celebrations, contestants Kanika Mann, Aamrapali Dubey, Yung DSA, Uditi Singh and Mahhi Vij take the stage with special performances, while Manoj Tiwari comes on stage to support his daughter and contestant, Rhiti Tiwari. Dinesh Lal Yadav aka Nirahua also joins the celebrations to support Aamrapali Dubey, making the evening a memorable mix of entertainment, performances and special moments. Adding another interesting turn to the lineup, Love Gill earned her place in the Bigg Boss house through ‘Fans Ka Faisla’, securing the highest number of votes from the audience. The premiere also saw a special moment for M C Mary Kom, as Priyanka Chopra sent her best wishes and good luck for her Bigg Boss journey.

Stepping into the iconic Bigg Boss house this season is a diverse mix of personalities from across entertainment, sports, social media and the digital world. The Season 20 lineup features M C Mary Kom, Aamrapali Dubey, Uditi Singh, Arishfa Khan, Aman Gandhi, Qazi Ahmad Tauqeer, Harsh Machare AKA Yung DSA, Kushal Tanwar AKA Gullu, Rhiya Yadav, Love Gill, Rohed Khan, Isha Rikhi, Mahhi Vij, Asif Khan, Rhiti Tiwari, Kanika Mann and Tanmay Singh AKA Scoutop, bringing together17 contestants, each with their own identity, journey and approach to the game. 

So, the wait is over as Bigg Boss Season 20 premieres today, 6th September, on JioHotstar and Colors, with Salman Khan back in the Bigg Boss house.

The Odissi Dancers’ Forum of Kolkata, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, will present Shraddhanjali 2026, a special two-day festival commemorating the birth centenary of Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra, one of the most influential figures in the evolution and global recognition of Odissi dance.

Held on 1 and 2 September 2026, the festival is themed A Century of Grace, Genius & Legacy and brings together eminent artistes, teachers, dancers and cultural practitioners to reflect on the life, artistry and enduring contribution of the legendary Guru.

The celebrations will feature a thoughtfully curated programme of lecture sessions, artistic interactions, discussions and live Odissi performances, offering audiences an opportunity to revisit Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra’s remarkable artistic journey and the legacy he continues to inspire across generations.

Remembering the Maestro: .

Two Evenings of Odissi

The festival will continue with two evenings of performances on 1st and 2nd September from 6:00 p.m. onwards at Gyan Manch, Kolkata.

The performances will bring together established and emerging artistes from several generations, celebrating the richness, discipline and expressive beauty of the Odissi tradition.

The participating academies and groups include Jailal Academy of Dance, Jhinuk Mukherjee Sinha & Group, and Kalamandalam Swarnadeepa.

The featured artistes are Dipanwita Roy, Rina Jana, Maya Bhattacharya, Kakali Bose, Saswati Sarkar, Subikash Mukherjee, Krishnendu Roy, Shib Narayan Banerjee, Shayomita Dasgupta, Nilanjana Mukherjee, Sujata Nayek, Amrita Das, Reshmi Basu, Rajneeta Mehra, Suchismita Kanijial, and Sabarni(k) De.

The evenings will be compered by Neeladyuti Chaudhury.

Chandigarh, August 29: Cricket legend and World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev officially unveiled Chandigarh's team for the Trinity Golf Champions League (TGCL) 2026. At a special launch ceremony, the defending champions, formerly known as Chandigarh Titans, introduced their new identity as GB Chandigarh Legends.

Carrying forward the legacy of Chandigarh Titans, GB Chandigarh Legends will represent the city in TGCL 2026 as the defending champions. With a fresh identity, the team aims to build on its championship success while strengthening its connection with the city and promoting golf at a larger level.

The launch event was attended by the team's leadership, owners, players, partners and distinguished guests. The central theme of the event was, "One New Name. A Bigger Game. A Stronger Legacy." The team also unveiled its vision through the theme, "From Chandigarh's Greens to India's Fairways," highlighting its ambition to take Chandigarh's golfing excellence to the national stage.

The highlight of the ceremony was the official unveiling of the GB Chandigarh Legends brand by Kapil Dev, alongside the team's leadership, owners and partners.

Speaking at the event, Kapil Dev said, "It is always special to see a team representing its city. Chandigarh has a wonderful sporting culture, and GB Chandigarh Legends has the opportunity to take that spirit to a much bigger stage."

He added, "I am delighted to be part of the launch of Chandigarh's team. I wish GB Chandigarh Legends all the very best for the season. I hope the team plays with confidence and gives the people of Chandigarh many more moments to celebrate."

Co-owner Karan Gilhotra said the new identity reflects the team's long-term vision of creating a lasting sporting legacy.

"Golf is a game of skill, discipline, patience and character. These are the values we want GB Chandigarh Legends to represent. As defending champions, we have the responsibility of maintaining the high standards set by the previous team while building something even bigger for the future," he said.

Gilhotra added that the team's goal is to strengthen its bond with Chandigarh, inspire young golfers and promote a stronger golfing culture in the city.

Gurinder Bhatti, Chairman of GB Realty Group, said the new identity represents a bigger vision for Chandigarh in TGCL.

"This is a proud moment for Chandigarh and everyone associated with the team. GB Chandigarh Legends is not just a new name; it marks the beginning of a new chapter with greater ambitions for the city," he said.

Bhatti added that while the team has the responsibility of defending its title, it also has the opportunity to create a lasting legacy for the future.

Co-owner and golfer Sandy Lehal said the team will continue to uphold Chandigarh's sporting spirit while striving for excellence on the course.

"As defending champions, the challenge will be even greater. Our aim is to build a team that competes with confidence and represents Chandigarh with pride," he said.

A.J. Singh, Promoter of Tynor, said the company is supporting GB Chandigarh Legends through its sports promotion initiative, Tynor Sports.

He said the company remains committed to encouraging sporting talent and providing better opportunities and platforms for athletes and teams.

The launch of GB Chandigarh Legends marks the beginning of a new chapter in Chandigarh's TGCL journey. Backed by a fresh identity, strong leadership and committed partners, the team will enter TGCL 2026 with the goal of defending its title and taking Chandigarh's golfing legacy to greater heights.

Jalandhar : Adorned in the Tricolour and echoing the spirit of “Har Ghar Tiranga," Lovely Professional University (LPU) celebrated India's 80th Independence Day with a powerful tribute to the courage of the nation's freedom fighters and armed forces and the responsibility entrusted to today's youth to carry that legacy forward.

The celebrations commenced with the Flag Hoisting Ceremony by Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Founder Chancellor of LPU, accompanied by a ceremonial march, a stirring live band performance, and an impeccably presented NCC Guard of Honor. As the national flag was unfurled and the national anthem echoed across the campus, the moment filled the gathering with pride and deep reverence for the nation.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Founder Chancellor of LPU, urged students to redefine patriotism by embracing economic independence as the nation's next mission. "Political freedom made us a nation; economic strength will make us a global power," Dr. Mittal said, calling upon students to take a pledge to earn while they study, support their parents by generating their own educational expenses, and graduate with a career rather than just a degree. Dr. Mittal emphasised that when every young person becomes financially independent, they strengthen their families, contribute to India's GDP, and become the true flag bearers of Viksit Bharat, describing this as "our Inquilab." Dr. Mittal also said that Vande Mataram is not merely a patriotic song but a guiding path towards Viksit Bharat, with every word inspiring young people to turn its ideals into reality.

The patriotic spirit continued with a series of captivating cultural presentations celebrating India's unity in diversity. A soulful rendition of Vande Mataram, inspiring patriotic performances, and artistic presentations reflected the country's rich heritage, resilience, and collective spirit. One of the most impactful highlights of the celebration was a powerful theatrical tribute to Shaheed Sardar Udham Singh, which brought alive his extraordinary courage and unwavering commitment to justice, reminding the audience of the sacrifices that shaped India's freedom.

The celebration beautifully blended honour and expression, with every performance carrying a meaningful message of courage, unity, and hope. From music and theatre to patriotic recitations and cultural showcases, students transformed the occasion into a heartfelt tribute to the ideals that continue to define the nation. More than a national celebration, the day served as a reminder to youth that the legacy of independence is carried forward through responsibility, integrity, and collective action. As the Tricolour waved high, the spirit of unity echoed across the campus, celebrating not just a day, but the true essence of being Indian.