"we don’t have any details about his death."
In yet another attack on Indians in the United States, a classical dancer was shot dead in St Louis, Missouri.
Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam dancer Amarnath Ghosh was also a student at Washington University.
He moved from West Bengal to the US in 2023 “to follow his dancing dreams”.
But on February 27, 2024, he was shot several times near the Academy and Central West End neighbourhoods. He died on the spot.
Amarnath was pursuing his Master’s in Performing Arts.
He was an alumnus of Kalakshetra, a Chennai institution for the study and performance of fine arts.
His uncle Shyamal Ghosh said he is still in the dark about the details of his nephew’s death.
He said: “We had informed the district police and administration about what we had heard from various sources. But till today, we don’t have any details about his death.”
Calling him “very friendly and very talented”, Amarnath’s friends said:
“He was always travelling a lot for his performances.
“A lot of organisations called him for performances, but he always wanted to come back to St Louis.
“I think it was a full scholarship at Wash U. His ultimate dream was to get his PhD in dance and work full-time with us at our Kuchipudi Art Academy.”
Amarnath volunteered as a dance instructor at a local student and also taught children.
His friends revealed that Amarnath has no parents. His father died when he was a child while his mother passed away in 2021.
The shooting has prompted India’s consulate in Chicago to take up the issue with local police and the university.
On X, the consulate said it has “taken up the case strongly with St Louis police and the University for investigation of the reprehensible gun attack”.
Washington University has condemned his killing as “senseless violence beyond comprehension”.
Anna Gonzalez, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, said:
“There are no words to express the pain and anguish Amarnath’s family and friends are experiencing.
“His death is a terrible shock to us all. This type of senseless violence is beyond comprehension and we are devastated by this loss.
“To have this happen in our own St Louis community is especially heartbreaking.”
The matter came to light when actress Devoleena Bhattacharjee alerted the authorities on social media.
Devoleena, who was a friend of the dancer, tweeted:
“The reason, 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.”
She tagged the Indian Embassy in the US, Narendra Modi and others.
Devoleena said: “Some friends in the US are trying to claim the body but still no update about it.
“At least we should know the reason of his murder.”
In another post, the actress wrote:
“Hope we get the update of this heinous crime as early as possible. If I am not wrong, this is 5th or 6th murder of Indian students in 2 months. We all are worried here and grieving.”
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