Bhubaneswar: It was a memorable evening for Sushree Adyasha Anindita, whose classical dance journey started 14 years ago, as she marked a significant milestone in her journey as an Odissi dancer as her Mancha Pravesh ceremony ‘Adya Ekaka Sandhya’ was held at Bhanjakala Mandap on November 6.
Born into an artistic household-her grandfather Prafulla Chandra Behera, a celebrated pala artiste and father Sitakanta Behera, a choreographer, Adyasha was drawn to the graceful rhythms of Odissi dance when she was just 4 years old, an age when most children are still lost in the world of dolls.
She began her training under the tutelage of Padma Shri recipient Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, later continuing under Guru Siva Prasad Chand and currently flourishing under the watchful eyes of Guru Sanatan Nayak. Alongside, she is pursuing her Plus III first year at Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalay.
Though she has already performed at several festivals across the country, ‘Adya Ekaka Sandhya’ was a special evening-an evening dedicated entirely to her solo performances.
The evening began on a spiritual note with ‘Guru Pujan’. As the curtains rose, the art lovers and common audience witnessed a touching moment- Adyasha humbly applying chandan tilak on the foreheads of her gurus, Durga Charan Ranbir, Siva Prasad Chand, and Sanatan Nayak, performing alati, and seeking their blessings by bowing at their feet. She then reverently touched her ghungroo (ankle bells) to her forehead before tying them on—a symbolic act marking her readiness to dance.
The formal inauguration followed with the customary lighting the lamp ceremony attended by eminent guests including Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, CSNA awardee and Odissi exponent Dr Snehaprava Samantaray, CSNA awardee and Mardala exponent Guru Dhaneswar Swain, Mardala exponent Guru Satchidananda Das and Principal of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalay Dr Bijay Kumar Jena.
The guests in their addresses extended their heartfelt wishes for Adyasha’s bright future in the realm of Odissi dance.
The cultural segment opened with Adyasha presenting a ‘Mangalacharan’, an invocatory piece where she offered pushpanjali to Lord Jagannath, performed Bhumi Pranam, salutation to the mother Earth, and concluded with ‘trikhandi pranam’, a three-part salutation in which a dancer offers her salutation to Gods, gurus and audience.
She followed it up with ‘Sabhinay Pallavi’, a captivating performance in Odissi dance that combines the pure dance form of Pallavi and Abhinay. She presented ‘Kalabati Pallavi’ and Abhinay piece ‘Sangini Re Chahan Benupaniki’. She instantly held the art lovers in her thrall with her lyrical body movements and artistry brilliance.
Then came the highlight of the evening. She presented a dance drama ‘Abhishapta Chitramati’, a poignant tale of infant-killer demoness Putana’s previous birth. Adyasha’s portrayal of Putana’s torment when little Krishna sucks out her life, granting her was powerful and deeply moving.
The art lovers who were watching in rapt attention gave a thunderous applause at the end of the programme, appreciating her artistry and devotion. The first two items were supported by live orchestra with Dibakar Parida on the Mardala, Guru Sukant Kumar Kundu on the Vocal, Soumya Ranjan Joshi on the Flute, Suramani Ramesh Chandra Dash on the Violin and Guru Sanatan Nayak on Majira and Bol. And, the third item was a creative confluence-scripted by Saroj Kumar Ojha, choreographed by Guru Sanatan Nayak, music composed by Agnimitra Behera, rhythm by Guru Dhaneswar Swain and Guru Ajay Choudhury.
According to this reviewer, the high quality of her dancing skills was evident within minutes of beginning of the recitals through her clarity of expressions, graceful movements of hands and torso and footwork.
The flawless anchoring of Dr Srinivas Ghatuary (Milan) added charm to the evening. As the curtains fell, one thing was certain—Adyasha Anindita has danced her way into the hearts of the art lovers, and a shining new star is ready to mesmerize connoisseurs.
Kalasanskruti extends its heartfelt wishes to Adyasha for a luminous journey ahead in the realm of classical dance.
