Bhubaneswar: With Kathak recitals by Nikkita Banawalikar, the fourth evening of OMC Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival started Wednesday.
Young and talented Kathak dancer, Nikkita presented Avartan, a complete cycle of rhythmic beats, representing the entire traditional repertoire of a Kathak performance. Commencing with a Ganesh Stuti, the invocation was followed by the Taal paksha, or the Nrittang, with compositions of rhythmic pieces performed to the accompaniment of Tabla in the same ‘bol’ patterns. Her crisp movements and intricate footwork are her forte.
A disciple of Guru Shama Bhate in Pune, Nikitta’s next presentation was a Thumri composed by Pt. Bindadin Maharaj. She was ably accompanied on the Tabla by Tanay Rege, on vocals, by Aditya Apte, and on the harmonium by Omkar Agnihotri.
In the second half of the evening, Abhiram Nanda, a well known flutist took the charge of the stage and had the audience in his thrall.
He began his recital by exploring Raag Madhuvanti, presenting a composition in Rupak Taal (7 beats) and Teen Taal (16 beats). His second, and concluding item was Dhun, based on Raag Mishra Pahadi, and Dadra and Keherwa Taal.
Biswaranjan Nanda and Priyanka Rath lent a good support on the Tabla and on the Tanpura respectively.
Abhiram Nanda started his training under Prof. Mohini Mohan Pattnaik, and is presently undergoing advanced training under the maestro Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia.
Photo courtesy: Srjan
