Bhubaneswar: Marking 25 glorious years of nurturing the classical arts, the Silver Jubilee of Nrutya Prativa and Raja Prativa Utsav was celebrated with pomp and splendour at Utkal Rangamanch, Bhubaneswar on Thursday. Hosted by Nrutya Prativa—a premier institution of Odissi dance, music, and visual arts founded by renowned Odissi exponent Guru Smt. Prativa Panda—the event brought together over 100 artistes in a grand cultural spectacle.
The festivities ran from dawn till dusk, split into three vibrant sessions—morning, afternoon, and evening. Nearly 100 Odissi dancers performed in the morning and afternoon sessions, dazzling audiences with their grace and mastery.
Guests of honour included eminent figures in the Odissi world such as Guru Chapala Mishra, Pushparanjan Mangaraj, Guru Gajendra Panda, and Guru Sonali Mohapatra, along with District ISO Aarti Badapanda.
Adding gravitas to the evening session were distinguished personalities such as Dr. Prasanna Pattasani (Former MP), Sameer Mohanty (President, Odisha Olympic Association), Khurda MLA Prashant Jagdev, Parlakhemundi MLA Rupesh Panigrahi, acclaimed writer Dr. Reena Routray, and Rotarian Niharika Mishra. The session was presided over by Bankim Chandra Nayak, Vice President of Nrutya Prativa, and Guru Prativa Panda, the institute’s Secretary.
A major highlight of the evening was the conferral of Raja Prativa Samman 2025 on Odissi exponent Guru Smt. Dipti Routray, who set the stage ablaze with a riveting abhinaya performance of ‘Laja Re Sari Gali Aja’—a composition in Raga Mishra Khamaj and Tala Ektali, choreographed by Padma Shri Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, with music by Pradeep Ray and rhythm by Guru Dhaneswar Swain.
The heartwarming moments of the night came from inclusive performances that broke barriers of ability.
Aridita Chakraborty, a child with mental disabilities and a Special Olympics medalist, moved the audience with her soulful performance of ‘Jagannath Swami Nayanapatha Gami’.
In a duet that symbolized unity in diversity, Sai Kiran Behera, a deaf and mute dancer, performed alongside Akanksha Aaradhana, capturing hearts with a beautifully synchronized Pallavi.
A unique family ensemble featured Madhusmita Panigrahi and her daughters Daksha and Dhritimoksha, who together presented the evocative ‘Meghamedura’ from Gita Govinda. Worth mentioning, Madhusmita is the wife of Paralakhemundi MLA Rupesh Panigrahi, and she along with her daughters are the disciples of Guru Prativa Panda.
The evening also featured solo performances by T. Dipti and Debadutta Dash, both disciples of Guru Prativa Panda. Dipti, a B-grade Doordarshan artiste and CCRT senior scholarship awardee, performed ‘Na Ja Jamuna’, choreographed by Guru Sonali Mohapatra, while Debadutta paid tribute to Lord Shiva with ‘Shiva Stutee’, choreographed by Guru Durga Charan Ranbir.
Group presentations by Nrutya Prativa’s young dancers—including ‘Jagannathastakam’ and ‘Sthayee’—kept the audience glued to their seats.
The dancers who participated in ‘Jagannathastakam’ were Shreyashree Dash, Manaswini Samantray, Pragyanrani Behera, Shrutika Maharana, Subhashree Subhadarshini, Aaradhya Aurosmita Baral, Subhadra Mallik, Anwesha Dash, Sai Suchismita Sahu and Sai Swagatika and those who presented ‘Sthayee’ were Anushriya Tah, Sparshika Barik, Garima Sahoo, V Manyata, Urja Sweta Barik, Ayetri Bhattacharya and Aadya Shree.
The grand finale saw the senior dancers light up the stage with a spirited dance based on a Raja song.
The day programme was smoothly compered by Rajanigandha and Jagvi, while Rutuparna Mohapatra hosted the evening, with overall coordination by Guru Prativa Panda.
The event received generous support from the Department of Odia Language, Literature & Culture, Government of Odisha.
