Bhubaneswar: When a festival bears Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra’s name, one can be certain that his timeless choreographies will take centre stage. The three-day Birth Centenary Celebrations of Legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra ‘Kelucharana-Keerti-Shatakam’ starting January 8 lived up to this promise.
The second evening of the festival unfolded as a rich tapestry of Guruji’s iconic gems like ‘Dine Na Dakibu’, ‘Yahi Madhava’, ‘Kirawani Pallavi’, ‘Braja Ku Chora’, among others, much to the delight of the art lovers.
The evening witnessed the presence of distinguished guests including Special Secretary of the Culture Department Deba Prasad Dash, Padma Shri recipient Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, Guruji’s disciple and researcher Dr. Rohini Chakraborty and Srjan’s director, Ratikant Mohapatra who lit the auspicious lamp.
The first performer of the evening was Smt. Sikata Das, a disciple of Guruji, who presented an Odia Abhinaya ‘Dine Na Dakibu’, choreographed by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, set to music composed by Pandit Bhubaneswar Mishra.
Effortlessly slipping into the persona of Radha, she implored Krishna’s flute not to call her during the day time. Her subtle and evocative abhinaya was a treat for both connoisseurs and common audiences.
She was followed by Smt Kasturi Pattnaik, who presented the popular and well-known prabandha ‘Yahi Madhava’ from the Gita Govinda. Choreographed by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and music by Pandit Bhubaneswar Mishra, the piece explored the emotional turmoil of Radha who confronts Krishna over his infidelity. With restraint and depth, she left the art lovers glued to their seats.
Smt. Swapnarani Sinha and Dr Smt. Dipti Routray then took over and presented an abhinaya ‘Anuragini’, choreographed by Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, music composed by Guru Pradeep Kumar Ray and rhythm by Guru Dhaneswar Swain. The narrative unfolded in a decorated kunja where Radha with her finery awaits Krishna in vain, only to become the object of gopis’ teasing. Krishna’s eventual arrival transforms her sorrow into joy.Both the dancers’ nuanced portrayal of emotions drew warm applause.
Bringing the stage alive with vibrant energy was Guru Smt Sujata Mohapatra, who presented the lilting Kirawani Pallavi, set to Raga Kirawani and Tala Khemata.
Choreographed by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and music by Pandit Bhubaneswar Mishra, her performance stood out for its technical precision, aesthetic poise, meditative calm and graceful command of the stage.
The mood then softened with the ever-endearing composition ‘Brajaku Chora’, performed by Smt. Sharmila Biswas. Her portrayal of mother Yashoda coaxing baby Krishna to sleep explored Vatsalya Rasa exquisitely. Choreographed by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra with music composed by his favourite Pandit Bhubaneswar Mishra, the piece left the audience utterly captivated.
A change in mood came with a duet recital by Smt. Leena Nanda and Smt. Munmun Chakraborty, who presented the soulful and intricate ‘Bilahari Pallavi’, set to Raga Bilahari and Tala Ektali, choreographed by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and music by Pandit Bhubaneswar Mishra. With their refined grace and lyrical body movements, they won hearts instantly.
Next, Smt. Sharmila Mukerjee performed the evocative prabandha, ‘Nindati Chandanam’, a rare gem from Guruji’s vast repertoire.
Set to Raga Mishrakafi and Tala Ektali, the piece portrayed the Virahotkanthita Radha, anguished by Krishna’s absence and longing for his arrival. Mukerjee’s subtle facial expressions and eloquent mudras poignantly conveyed Radha’s longing.
The following presentation was Kavi Upendra Bhanja’s celebrated Janana ‘Mana Udharana’ by Guru Dr Gajendra Panda, a disciple of Guru Debaprasad Das and director of Tridhara, an institution established by his guru. With his refined abhinaya and controlled movements, he did full justice to his Guru’s distinctive choreography.
The penultimate item was ‘Tala Taranga’ presented by the artistes of Guru Bichitrananda Swain’s Rudrakshya Foundation, marked by intricate footwork, vigorous movements, and impressive group synergy.
The evening drew to a close with the artistes of ‘Nupur’, an institution established by Guru Niranjan Rout, offering an auspicious and devotional ‘Shiva-Vandana’, bringing the memorable evening to a fitting conclusion.
