Reviews

National

There was the surprise of suddenly coming upon one of the most brilliant displays one has ever seen of classic academic virtuosity in a new choreographic grab.

Hindustan Times,Delhi 
31 st December 1981 . 
 
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The unassuming, modest and petite Aloka Kanungo is in a mission. She is painstakingly reviving the two almost extinct dance forms, forerunners to the modern classical Odissi Dance-

Bandha Nritya & Sabda Nritya . 
Society,Bombay 
January 2002 
 
  
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Every good dancer has a certain stronger point and with Aloka her forte was her eloquent, beautiful and very sensitive hands, and when they moved they become really poetic.

The Economic Times,
Calcutta, 
29 th July 1984 . 
 
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Aloka is a dancer of rare merit; her dancing seems to be intrinsic to the very mood and form of Odissi.

The Telegraph,
Calcutta, 
17 th July 1984
 
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One of the finest disciples of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra…The high light of her performance however was her abhinaya in which her expressions achieved a rare standard of finesse and subtle artistry.

The Telegraph, 
Calcutta 
20 th April 1985. 
 
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Her grace, beauty, dark provocative eye, eloquent beautiful and very sensitive hands are added asset to her command over the dance.

Sun Times,
Bhubaneswar, 
13 th August 1989. 
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When North Calcutta Junior Chamber called her an outstanding young person, Aloka Kanungo did not know whether to ascribe the recognition to her commitment to Odissi

Or to look back on the days she nursed some ambition of being a screen actress. A break in Mrinal Sen's ‘Matira Manisha' was better than any young performer could have asked for. Aloka must have considered herself fortunate that she gave up arc lamps and making Calcutta second home to propagate the message of ancient Odissi Temple dance.

The Statesman, 
Calcutta 
5 th January 1993. 
 
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Rated as one of the finest Odissi dancers, Aloka Kanungo gave an inspired performance of her guru Kelu babu's training. One senses, both fidelity to learn material, as well as personal involvement in her dance.

The Hindusthan Times 
13 th September 2000 
 
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Born in the birthplace of Odissi dance Aloka Kanungo recreated sculptures and frozen dance poses found in many temples of Orissa…revealing her command of the unusual intricacy and richness of Odissi dance style. Her movements were marked by grace and lucidity; her tribhanga pose was strikingly beautiful.

Indian Express, 
New Delhi 
19 th March 1994.

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It is not surprising any more that Odissi has extended well beyond the boundaries of Orissa and entered countries like Myanmar, Egypt, Qatar, Iraq, Azerbaijan and Turkey. Guess who is responsible for taking this dance form to these exotic locations. None other than Aloka Kanungo who has just been conferred the Mahari award in Orissa.

The Statesman,Calcutta
1 st June 2001

International

Ms. Kanungo is a well-known dancer from the state of Orissa in east India. She has performed in many countries, including Japan, Burma, United Kingdom, Qatar, Kuwait, Bangladesh and Germany. Before coming to Azerbaijan she will have performances in Amman and Cairo.

Azer News, 
Azerbaijan 
September27-3rd October2000 
       
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World-renowned Indian classical dancer, Aloka Kanungo took her audience back to mythological era with her mesmerizing performance at the Indian Embassy auditorium. 
Kuwait Times, Kuwait 
20 th June 2000 
          
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When Aloka performs her body moves with fluidity and equilibrium that is possible only by cooperating yogic philosophy. It was a treat to witness six different presentations by her during her recital and one felt transported to Orissa itself during the programme.

Arab Times, 
Kuwait 
20th June 2000

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Beauty first and always but, as Socrates said, brains help. Aloka Kanungo has both, so it is joyous and relaxing to write about her. Her unique quality made her performance at the small Hall, which had tough opposition from the mobile circus around the corner at Al-Hanger into an event of a kind seldom encountered these days.

The face has a true star's ability to hold an expression for as long as it is necessary and then to erase it like a puff of face powder. Which piece of this amazing dancer must we watch? The entire impact if possible.

Al-Ahram Weekly, Cairo 
12-18 October 2000 
 
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The artiste imparted to the coy heroine the whole gamut of emotions- chargin, indignation, bashfulness, devotion, beauty, delight, fear and anger-while the playful hero was shown in an impish, mischievous light.

ThePeninsula, Qatar , 
27 th February 1999 
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Aloka Kanungo. Odissi dancer par excellence, made her Doha debut yesterday at the Doha Players Theatre, rewarding the efforts of the organizers, the Bangiya Parishad and the Indian Cultural Centre.

The Peninsula,Doha 
27 th February 1999 
 
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An Odissi dancer of rare merit, Aloka Kanungo's Performance yester day evening, at the Doha Players Theatre, brought to light her complete mastery over this dance form. Her graceful stage presence, lucid flowing dance images and sensitive lyrical abhinaya were a visual treat.

Gulf Times, Qatar 
27 th February 1999  
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Dancer Aloka Kanungo performed in the Guildhall…since then she has toured the country with her three musicians…she took time out from her busy schedule to perform to more than 100 children from the age of four to eleven.

Lettings, 
U.K 
7 th June 2000