Bhubaneswar: The Rabindra Mandap auditorium here was buzzing with energy as vibrant and pulsating rhythms of Sambalpuri beats took over during the 2nd International Sambalpuri Festival on Wednesday.
Organized by Abhaya Art Academy, a socio-cultural organization established by Smt Pankajini Sahoo in memory of her late husband Abhaya Kumar Sahoo in Sambalpur’s tribal-dominated village Kuchinda in 2013, the festival, after its debut in Sambalpur last year, shifted its venue to Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar to spread the vibrant hues of Sambalpuri music and dance.
The evening kick-started on an auspicious note as dignitaries including eminent social worker Dr Mridula Thakur Pradhan, lyricist of evergreen cult Sambalpuri song ‘Rangabati’ Padma Shri recipient Mitrabhanu Gountia, singer of the song Dr Jitendra Haripal, Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) awardee Dr Snehaprava Samantaray, SNA awardee Mardala exponent Dhaneswar Swain, Odissi dancer Rajashree Praharaj, Odissi dancer Saswat Joshi and executive director of Project Chhauni Smt Subhashree Mukherjee inaugurated the evening by lighting the auspicious lamp.
Abhaya Art Academy’s chairperson Pankajini Sahoo and its director Rinku Sahoo also shared the dais.
The evening got off to a soulful start with a devotional song dedicated to goddess Samlei, the presiding deity of Sambalpur district. Singer Iswari Behera sung the Mahamayee Samlei Vandana, written by Padma Shri recipient Mitrabhanu Gountia.
The second item of the evening was a duet Nachnia dance titled ‘Krishna’ by Rinku Sahoo and Carolina Prada, a native of Colombia and who is also a trained Chhau and Odissi dancer. They brought alive the timeless bond of Radha and Krishna on the stage, leaving the audience spellbound. The item, choreographed by Rinku, was a blend of graceful movements and soulful narrative.
Taking the baton forward, Betikhai Bariha and team from Kandaghat of Gaisilat block in Bargarh district presented ‘Paramparik Dalkhai’, capturing the true rural spirit of Western Dance. The performers were Betikhai Bariha, Suruchi Barik and Saraswati Bariha.
The traditional Dalkhai dance is generally performed by girls while boys play the traditional instruments for three days starting Ashtami tithi of Durga puja, paying obeisance to goddess Dalkahi, another form of goddess Durga. The dance is performed mostly in villages of Bargarh, Bolangir, Nuapada and Kalahandi.
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Next, the artistes of Kalajibi, a cultural organization in Bargarh district presented a stylized verson of Dalkhai dance, infusing freshness while retaining its rustic essence. While the choreographer was Guru Dillip Kumar Sahoo, the dancers were Alibha Podha, Niki Pradhan, Pratima Sagar, and Purnima Bhoi.
The high voltage performance had the audience tapping their feet to the infectious beats.
The fifth and sixth items of the evening were two energetic Sambalpuri dances ‘Aye Laba’ and ‘Mahula Jhare’ respectively, performed by the artistes of Abhaya Art Academy, under the choreography of Rinku Sahoo with music redesigned by Guru Surendra Sahu and Tularam Kalet, turning the auditorium into a sea of claps and cheers.
The evening came to an end with Dr Jitendra Haripal and Ishwari Behera brining the house down with the evergreen song ‘Rangabati’, sending the audience into a joyous frenzy.
The musical finale also featured Padmashree Khatei, Ishwari Behera, and Kularam Kalet, who rendered ‘Ma Go Muin Kemti Dharmi’, ‘Haldi Gina’, and ‘Sara Jagatke Hetei Deuchhi’ respectively, ensuring the spirit of Sambalpuri music lingered in the air.
The anchors of the evening were Soma Mohapatra and Anjan Ku Pradhan, who kept the audience engaged with their crisp compering.
Earlier in the day, around 50 artistes of the host institution set the morning session ablaze with scintillating solo, duet and group Sambalpuri dance performances, ensuring entertainment.
All the items were performed to live music, accompanied by Dilip Kumar Sahu (Dhol), Subal Haripal and Surendra Nial (Nishan), Parshuram Das (Flute), Rajin Thanapati (Keyboard), Bittu Sharma (Octopad), Chakra Dharua (Tasha) and Rukmana Sahu (Jhanj), adding energy and rhythm to the dance performances.
