Bhubaneswar: The 17th edition of Guru Debaprasad Award Festival, organized by Tridhara, a pioneer organization which upholds the unique style of Guru Debaprasad Das, started with great enthusiasm and excitement among the art connoisseurs thronging to Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar on October 26.
The evening commenced with the presentation of the prestigious Guru Debaprasad Lifetime Achievement Award 2023 to Padma Bhushan recipient Shri Jatin Das, a legendary painter, sculptor and muralist.
The inaugural evening commenced with an Odissi dance recital ‘Rama Kathamrutam’ by the dancers of Tridhara. The episode comes from the Tulasi Das Rama Charita Manas. The first item was Mangalacharan, Sri Rama Dhyana, set to Raga Abhiree & Madhyamadi followed by Sthai set to Raga Madhukiri. Their last item was an Odia Abhinaya, ‘Sita Swayambar’ set to Raga Ghanakesi. The music was composed by Guru Dr. Gopal Chandra Panda, rhythm composition by Guru Sachidananda Das and the dance was choreographed by Guru Gajendra Kumar Panda.
The well-trained dancers of Tridhara left the audience mesmerized with their fluid grace, immaculate body movements with amazing precision and charming gestures and postures.
The second presentation of the evening was ‘Trio Music Recital’ by three renowned classical musicians- Santoor player Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya, Flute player Ronu Majumdar and Tabla player Pandit Prosenjit Poddar. They instantly cast a magical spell on the audience playing the santoor, flute and tabla in various raga and taal.
The dignitaries who graced the occasion were Anu Garg, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Odisha; Jatin Das, eminent painter, sculptor & muralist; Yella Venkateswar Rao, eminent mridangam player; Debi Prasanna Pattanayak, professor and linguist; Simanchala Panda, working president, Tridhara and Guru Gajendra Panda, Director, Tridhara.
The programme was anchored by Dr. Mrutyunjay Rath.
Photo courtesy: Tridhara
