Kolkata Dancer Pursuing Ph.D. In U.S. Shot Dead By Unknown Man During Evening Walk
Amarnath Ghosh was pursuing a PhD in Fine Arts and was shot dead during evening walk by an unknown man in St. Louis, Missouri.
Amid the increasing cases of crime against Indians in the United States, a Bharatnatyam and Kuchupudi dancer named Amarnath Ghosh from Kolkata was shot dead by an unidentified assailant in St. Louis, U.S. while he was out on an evening walk. The issue was brought to light on Friday after the victim's friend, TV Actress Devoleena Bhattacharjee shared about Ghosh's murder on her X account. The actress claimed that he was shot multiple times by an unidentified man in Missouri on Tuesday evening which led to his death.
She also stated that his friends are unable to claim his body in the US and further requested PM Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and the Indian Embassy in the US to investigate the matter to uncover the reasons behind her friend's alleged murder.
Taking cognizance of the incident, the Consulate General of India in Chicago, USA, tweeted: "Deep condolences to family & friends of deceased Amarnath Ghosh in St Louis, Missouri. We are following up forensic, investigation with police & providing support."
Deep condolences to family & friends of deceased Amarnath Ghosh in StLouis, Missouri. We are following up forensic, investigation with police & providing support. @IndianEmbassyUS @MEAIndia
— India in Chicago (@IndiainChicago) March 1, 2024
Devoleena shared that he was the only child in his family and both his parents had passed away.
According to his website, Amarnath was pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Dance at Washington University in Saint Louis.
Her post stated: "My friend Amarnath Ghosh was shot & killed in St Louis academy neigbourhood, US on tuesday evening. Only child in the family, mother died 3 years back. Father passed away during his childhood. Well the reason , the accused details everything are not revealed yet, or perhaps no one left in his family to fight for it except his few friends. He was from Kolkata. Excellent dancer, was pursuing PHD , was taking an evening walk and suddenly he was shot multiple times by an unknown. Some friends in US are trying to claim the body but still no update about it.Atleast we should know the reason of his murder."
My friend #Amarnathghosh was shot & killed in St louis academy neigbourhood, US on tuesday evening.
— Devoleena Bhattacharjee (@Devoleena_23) March 1, 2024
Only child in the family, mother died 3 years back. Father passed away during his childhood.
Well the reason , accused details everything are not revealed yet or perhaps no one…
"We received a call about his death from my sister in New Delhi. We do not know the circumstances leading to the death. I went to Suri PS to seek more information. He has home here. His parents had passed away and he was the only son," TOI quoted Amarnath's uncle saying.
A Kolkata-based cinematographer Santanu Dutta stated: " I have known Amarnath for a long time. His mother was my spiritual guru. We have been neighbours in Suri."
As per TOI's report, Dutta had spoken to Amarnath on Tuesday, the day he was killed. However, he did not mention any threat. "I got a call from his partner, Praveen Paul. He told me that a mobile and wallet were found beside the body. The fingerprints matched with him," he added.
Who Was Amarnath Ghosh?
Amarnath Ghosh, 34, was an accomplished performing artist, choreographer, and art educator from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He was pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) at Washington University in Saint Louis. He was an alumnus of Fine Arts and Kuchupudi Art Academy Chennai and had mastered four dance styles- Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam, and Kathak.
According to his website amarnathendra.com, he was brought up in Kolkata where he learnt Rabindra Sangeet and Rabindra Nrita in Shantiniketan style. "He seeks to bring the richness of Tagore poetry down south and inspire young adults and children on the strength of the beautiful evocative poetry of Tagore. With a reception of Tagore plays he seeks to bring the popular dance dramas of Tagore to the south platforms," his website read.
The website also states that he was the recipient of Nritya Kanak Mani Saman from the International Dance and Music Festival, New Delhi.
Rising Crimes Against Indians In The US
There has been a surge in the crimes against Indians in the US with multiple deaths being reported in the past few months. The Indian student community is particularly grappling with hate crimes without proper redressal to the grievances they have been facing.
In similar cases reported in January, Vivek Saini was brutally killed in Georgia, while two other students from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were found dead at their Connecticut accommodation under suspicious conditions.
Another 18-year-old Indian-origin student Akul Dhawan froze to death in the US. After being reported missing for several hours, his body was discovered at the back side of a building near the university campus in Illinois.
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