Bhubaneswar: The Bhanjakala Mandap auditorium came alive as Bimohana, one of the premier Odissi dance institutions of the country, hold its ninth edition of Bimohana Kala Samman Festival on Monday.
As the dusk settled on the horizon of the capital city, art aficionados started arriving in droves at Bhanjakala Mandap. True to its hallmark punctuality, the festival commenced sharp at 6.30 pm. Distinguished dignitaries including Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Guru Shri Dhaneswar Swain, CMD, Team Ad Mark Group of Companies Shri Nishikant Mishra, eminent homoeopathy specialist and senior consultant Dr. Rathindra Nath Dutta, secretary, Odia Society of Hong Kong Smt. Arati Sethi, BCJD vice president Shri Prateek Mohapatra and founder of Bimohana Smt. Kadambini Barik lit the auspicious lamp. The institution’s secretary Shri Rashmi Ranjan Barik also graced the dais.
In their addresses, the guests showered praise on Bimohana’s sustained efforts in nurturing and promoting Odissi on both national and global stages.
The highpoint of the evening was the presentation of the Bimohana Kala Samman. This year, the award was conferred upon Padma Shri awardee and legendary Odissi exponent Guru Smt. Kumkum Mohanty, in recognition of her monumental contribution to Indian classical dance.
The cultural evening opened with a captivating solo recital by Guru Kumkum Mohanty, instantly setting a spirituallu charge tone.
At 79, she has proved that age is merely a number-her agility, poise and expressive depth could give dancers half her age a run for their money.She presented ‘Kede Chhanda Jane Lo Sahi’, one of the classic choreographies of legendary guru Padma Vibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra, written by Kavi Banamali and music composed by Pandit Bhubaneswar Mishra.
The auditorium fell into a pin-drop silence as she unfolded mythological episodes — Bakasura Vadha, Putana Vadha, Govardhan Dharana and Kaliya Damana — with breathtaking precision and emotional intensity.The most riveting one was ‘Putana Vadha’ where she without resorting to exaggeration, she conveyed the agony of Putana as little Krishna suckled not just milk but her very life force. I have watched many dancers performing ‘Putana Vadha’ episode, but Smt Mohanty’s was in its purest, most refined form — subtle, soulful and deeply moving.
The evening further gathered momentum with a duet Odissi recital by Dipti Ranjan Baral and Himanshu Sekhar Ray of Orissa Dance Academy. They presented ‘Krishna Madhuri’, choreographed by Padma Shri Guru Aruna Mohanty, music composed by Guru Ramhari Das and Guru Bijay Kumar Jena and rhythm composed by Guru Dhaneswar Swain and Bijay Kumar Barik. With unmatched stage chemistry and synchronization, they depicted many shades of Krishna-from the playful child to divine charioteer delivering Geeta Upadesha on the battlefield.
The next performer was Sushree Barsha Priyadarshani Sarangi of Bimohana, who presented ‘Shiva Panchakshara’, evoking multiple manifestations of Lord Shiva through statuesque poses and sculptural grace. Her performance drew generous applause from the appreciative audience. Barsha is the founder of ‘Jagadhatri Kala Niketan’ and organizing Bijayaamrita Mahotsav.
The art lovers were again treated to a graceful duet ‘Mohana Murati’ by Sushree Lopamudra Sahu and Sushree Anjali Das of Rudrakshya Foundation. In the item, choreographed by Rudrakshya Foundation’s founder Guru Bichitrananda Swain and music composed by Smt Sangita Gosain, the dancer duo made their guru proud by living up to the mark while portraying tow sakhis who are completely lost in adoration of Krishna. Their expressive storytelling and fluid movements did full justice to the composition.
The evening came to an end with a scintillating group presentation ‘Niyati’, or destiny in English by Shubhalaxmi Padhy and troupe (UDRA). With examples drawing from the Ramayan and the Mahabharat, the piece underscores a timeless truth that destiny holds the reign of human life.
The programme was conducted under the direct supervision of Guru Shri Rashmi Ranjan Barik and was deftly anchored by Shri Mrutyunjay Rath.
With yet another successful edition, Bimohana, established in 2016, once again underscored its growing stature as a vibrant cultural force.
