Bhubaneswar: As twilight draped the city of Bhubaneswar in a soft glow, Utkal Rangamanch auditorium on the premises of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre (GKCMORC) sprang to life on Saturday as dance gurus, exponents, art lovers and common audience gathered to witness the third evening of 24th Ekamra Nrutya Mahotsav.
If the names of some festivals come to mind for their descent management and well-planned line-up of performances, Ekamra Nrutya Mahotsav will definitely be one of them. Hosted by Suravi—once again proved it knows how to pull out all the stops. Founded by Pitambar Biswal, the institution has carved a niche as a torchbearer of Odissi traditions.
The evening witnessed the presence of dignitaries including CSNA awardee and renowned Mardala player Guru Dhaneswar Swain, music director and composer Laxmikant Palit, Deputy Director of Odia language, Literature and Culture Department and Administrative Officer of GKCMORC Smt Suchismita Mantri, violinist Suramani Ramesh Chandra Das, Mardala player Guru Satchidananda Das, Odissi dancer Guru Suhagnalini Das and Odissi dancer Guru Meera Das who inaugurated the evening by lighting the ceremonial lamp.
In their addresses, they heaped praise on Suravi for its sustained endeavor to groom talents and organizing for such a beautifully-organised festival and extended their best wishes for the festival’s silver jubilee edition in the coming year.
On this occasion, disciple of late Pandit Bhajan Sopori and state’s lone Santoor player Nandakishore Das was honoured with Guru Dayanidhi Behera Smruti Samman. Following the felicitation ceremony, Nandakishore, who has performed in the different parts of the nation, treated the art lovers to Santoor recitals.
He presented Raga Nandkauns, casting a magical spell on the audience, while Biswaranjan Nanda kept perfect time on the table.
What followed next was a solo Odissi dance recital by Mrs Dipsi Pattanayak, from Bhubaneswar, a disciple of Gur Dr Pitambar Biswal. She has received many awards and accolades including junior and senior national scholarship and a graded artiste of Doordarshan.
She presented ‘Asaveri Pallavi’, set to Raga Asaveri and Tala Ektali, choreographed by Guru Dr Pitambar Biswal, music composed by Purna Chandra Swain and rhythm by Sibananda Barik. In this item, she exhibited her command over Odissi grammar. It was superb, indeed.
She followed it up with an abhinaya ‘Ago Sakhi Ki Kahibi’, choreographed by Guru Dr Pitambar Biswal, music composed by Satyabrata Katha, rhythm composed by Sibananda Barik. In this item, she brought Radha’s longing for Krishna to life with heartfelt expression—leaving the audience hanging on her every move and responding with thunderous applause.
She was accompanied by Guru Dr Pitambar Biswal on the Manjira, Sibananda Barik on the Mardala, Satyabrata Katha on Vocal, Guru Pradeep Kumar Ray on the Voilin, Soumya Ranjan Joshi on the Flute and Prakash Chandra Mohapatra on the Sitar.
Keeping the momentum going, Swapna Dutta, from Bhubaneswar, came onto the stage. A disciple of Guru Smt Meera Das and a repertoire member of Gunjan Dance Academy, Swapna commenced her recital with a Pallavi, based on Raga Desh and Tala Rupakm dance composed by Guru Meera Das and rhythm composed by Guru Satchidananda Das. Pallavi is always a challenge for a dancer, but she rose to the occasion, balancing poise and precision.
Her next item “Shabari”-the cherry on the top. Here, the episode from the Ramayan where an elderly tribal woman offers forest-grown berry fruits to Lord Ram was narrated. With her expressive storytelling, especially in the scenes of tasting berries and beholding Lord Ram, struck an emotional chord with viewers.
The item was choreographed by Guru Smt. Meera Das, music composed by Srinibas Satapathy and rhythm by Guru Satchidananda Das.
Saving the best for last, noted Odissi dancer Smt Sarita Mishra, from Bangalore presented an Odissi abhinaya ‘Dheera Sameere’ from 12th century saint poet Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda. Her portrayal of sakhi entreating Radha to join Krishna who is waiting for her at the Yamuna, was nothing short of spellbinding.
The item, choreographed by Sarita herself and music composed by Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi, music rearranged by Srinivas Satpathy and rhythm composed by Guru Bijay Kumar Jena, is set to Raga Mohana and Tala Aditala.
She was ably supported by Guru Bijay Kumar Barik on the Mardala, Guru Srinibas Satpathy on the flute, Guru Agnimitra Behera on the violin, Guru Budhanath Swain on the Manjira and Amit Panda on the Vocal.
With her balanced footwork, fluidity of upper body movements and facial expressions, she had the audience eating out of her hand, wrapping up the evening on a high note.
Dr Mrutyunjay Rath was the anchor of the evening.
