Manipur dancer Rinku Bhattacharya Das extends aid to IDP with fundraiser through art

Eminent Manipuri dancer Rinku Bhattacharya Das, distributed relief assistance among the internally displaced persons residing in various relief camps by raising fund in United States. 

 

Addressing to media during press conference held at the Manipur Press Club today, January 11 Das said that during her visit in Manipur in 2025, she had seen the pain and suffering of displaced person. The emotion she developed at that moment has motivated to raise fund for displaced person and extend some possible aids.

 

“During my visit to the relief camps last July, I developed a strong emotional connection with the children and families living there. Their struggles and suffering stayed with me, and I felt a responsibility to do something meaningful for them,” Das told reporters, recalling the moment that inspired her humanitarian effort.

 

She informed that a dance production was staged in the United States, performed by American students under her mentorship. The performance not only highlighted Indian classical and contemporary dance traditions but also served as a platform to raise awareness about the crisis in Manipur. The event received an overwhelming response and successfully mobilised financial support for displaced families from the state.

 

Das said the funds raised through the production are now being distributed among IDPs residing in relief camps across Manipur, ensuring that the assistance reaches those most affected by the ongoing crisis.

 

“This initiative was made possible by the collective support of my students, fellow artistes and well-wishers who stood firmly behind the cause. I am here to personally ensure that the aid reaches the people it was intended for,” she added.

 

A renowned soloist and choreographer, Rinku Bhattacharya Das has been instrumental in taking Indian classical and contemporary dance forms to global platforms across India and the United States. She is empanelled as a solo dance artist with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), representing Indian culture internationally on behalf of the Government of India.

 

Currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) terminal degree at Arizona State University, Das also serves as a Faculty Associate, actively promoting and teaching Indian dance forms in academic spaces abroad. Additionally, she is the Director of Nrityajyoti Dance Academy, through which she trains students and fosters appreciation for Indian classical dance overseas.

 

Reaffirming her commitment, Das expressed her desire to continue using art as a medium to build awareness, empathy and solidarity for Manipur’s displaced communities, stating that creative expression can play a vital role in healing and collective responsibility.