Rita Ganguly: The artiste who refused to be defined by one art form

Entering Rita Ganguly’s spacious, airy home in Kaladham, Noida, one is first struck by the lush greenery that surrounds it. The ambience speaks of a lifetime spent in the arts. Tamburas stand neatly stacked in a corner, while a wood-panelled performance space speaks of a long creative journey. Recently conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) Fellowship, Rita Ganguly joins an elite group of artistes whose influence has resonated across generations. Yet accolades alone cannot define her. Singer, dancer, actor, director, author and patron of the arts, she has moved effortlessly across disciplines. Equally remarkable are her wit and refined intellect. Her attention to detail is evident in everything she undertakes. At her music festival Arohi , for instance, she once insisted on a carefully coordinated colour theme and candlelit stage décor, creating an immersive experience that seamlessly blended the visual and the aural.