Bhubaneswar: The evening at Utkal Rangamanch, Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre (GKCMORC), here proved to be a memorable evening for rasikas as Sai Aradhana Dance Academy (SADA) celebrated the 6th edition of its National Dance festival and annual Day Celebration ‘Nrutya Mohini’ on June 28.
The day-long cultural extravaganza proved to be a feast for the eyes, leaving rasikas thoroughly enthralled.
Established by Guru Smt Prangya Priyadarshini Pattanaik in 2014, the SADA has, over the years, carved a niche for itself as one of the premier cultural organisations which has been organizing the festival since 2020.
Meanwhile, the academy has gone from strength to strength by organizing workshops, seminars and competitions. At the same time, the institution is also extending free Odissi dance training to underprivileged children from slum areas of the capital city, proving that art can indeed be a bridge to empowerment.
The celebrations unfolded in two sessions. The morning session witnessed the gracious presence of dignitaries including Duradarshi editor Durga Prasad Samantaray, actress Smt Rashmita R Panigrahi, Odissi dancer Subhendu Kumar Dash, and Odissi dancer Guru Smt Kshyanaprava Dash.
Young artistes of the academy set the tone for the day with spirited performances that won appreciation from the art lovers.
The evening session got off to an auspicious start with the auspicious lighting of the lamp by dignitaries such as Rajya Sabha MP Subhasish Khuntia, vocalist Guru Pradeep Kumar Das, eminent Odissi dance exponent Guru Dr Manoj Kumar Behera, HOD, department of Math, Utkal University, Dr Anusuya Nath and Duradarshi editor Durga Prasad Samantaray. Guru Smt Prangya Priyadarshini Pattanaik was also present on the dais.
The guests in their addresses heaped praise on Guru Pattanaik for her unwavering determination and dedication towards preserving and promoting Odissi dance and wished its continued success in the years to come.
The highlight of the festival was the presentation of Nrutya Mohini Lifetime Achievement Award to eminent Odissi exponent and OSNA awardee Guru Muktilata Pal in recognition of her immense contribution to the classical dance tradition.
The occasion also witnessed the presentation of Sai Aradhana Sanskruti Samman 2026 to distinguished personalities including eminent educationist, singer, poet and writer Mahapatra Sabita Hota, educationist and social activist Brahmananda Mangaraj, educationist, poet and writer Dr Girish Ranjan Sahoo, associate professor, department of social work, ADNO NSS, Khurda district, Ragunath Mandal.
The cultural evening began with ten dancers of SADA (Aishani Priyadarshini Sahoo, Shree Saranya Muduli, Geethashree Suhani, Sai Sradha Priyadarshini, Saumyashree Saisudha Das, Prateekshya Patra, Lotous Goswami, Sai Sneha Behera, Anvi Sudyaksha Mishra and Kabya Mishra) presenting ‘Radha Rani Sange Nache Murali Pani’, direction by Guru Pattanaik. The artistes’ impeccable synchronization and stage management instantly struck the right chord with the audience.
The momentum continued with six dancers (Amrita Sahani, Aradhana Das, Sai Miran Samantaray, Unnati Tiwari, Abhilipsa Samal and Satarupa Sen) of SADA presenting ‘Jay Mahesh’, choreographed by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra and direction by Guru Prangya Priyadarshini Pattanaik. The dancers through beautiful formations vividly portrayed the iconography of Lord Shiva, leaving the audience captivated.
The following item was ‘Hari Om’, also choreographed by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra , dance direction by Guru Pattanaik, presented by Anshika Advaita, Shibanshi Priyadarshini, Kabya RP Panda, Roshni Sahoo, Devanshi Parida, Shreemayee Pradhan, Ivanka Behuria, Anvi Abhishri, Aneeshka Pradhan and Shreyanshi Tripathy. The piece was marked by remarkable coordination and effective use of stage space, earning generous applause.
The spotlight was then shifted to four guest artistes of Sunaina Charitable Trust, founded by eminent Odissi dancer Guru Smt Sagarika Mohapatra. Mugdha Sudipta Pathy, Sunaina Parida, Rishita Periwal and Aradhya Pathy presented ‘Ki Sobha Go Kunje’, choreographed by Padma Shri guru Kumkum Mohanty.
Their fluid body movements, expressive abhinaya and technical finesse breathed life into the choreography, winning hearts effortlessly.
The fifth item of the evening was ‘Laxmi Vandana’ where seven well-trained dancers of SADA-Amrita Sahani, Aradhana Das, Sai Miran Samantaray, Unnati Tiwari, Abhilipsa Samal, Satarupa Sen, Geetanjali Behera and Sriprasad Gouda-narrated different aspects of Goddess Laxmi.
The episode of Goddess Laxmi emerging during the churning of the Ocean of Milk stood out as the jewel in the crown, making the performance a visual spectacle.
One of the evening’s most compelling presentations came from accomplished young dancer Subhendu Kumar Dash, popularly known as Raja Baba, a disciple of Guru Smt Pushpita Mishra.
He presented ‘Shrikhandi’, choreographed by Guru Smt Puspita Mishra, penned by Smt Renuka Acharya, music composed Guru Sukanta Kundu and rhythm by Guru Dhaneswar Swain. He portrayed the complex Mahabharata character who played an instrumental role in the fall of Bhishma. With expressive abhinaya, controlled movements and commanding stage presence, Raja Baba rose to the occasion and left no stone unturned to give justice to the choreography, drawing a huge round of applause.
The festival gathered further momentum with ‘Vasant Pallavi’, one of the classic choreographies of Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. Performed by Rishika Das, Riddhi Manna, Divyanshi Mohanty, Siyanshi Sahoo, Bidisha Sahu, Aanishka Muduli, Sanvi Ghosh and Ansheeta Pradhan under Guru Smt Pattanaik’s direction, the piece was marked by remarkable synchronisation and lyrical grace, leaving the audience thoroughly captivated.
The curtain came down on the festival with a vibrant Sambalpuri folk dance ‘Mahua Pani’, presented by Kabya RP Panda, Roshni Sahoo, Devanshi Parida, Shreemayee Pradhan, Shreyanshi Tripathy, Annvi Abhishri, Aneeksha Pradhan and Shibanshi Priyadarshini, infusing the stage with infectious energy and festive spirit.
The art connoisseurs were found remaining glued to their seats until the final curtain call, a fitting testimony to the resounding success of the festival.
Guru Smt Prangya Priyadarshini Pattanaik has had the rare privilege of receiving training from some of the finest names including Padma Shree Guru Smt Kumkum Mohanty, OSNA awardee Smt Muktilata Pal, Guru Smt Kasturi Pattanaik, Guru Smt Leena Nanda, and Guru Smt Minati Pradhan.
A graded artiste of Doordarshan, she and her students have performed at several prestigious festivals, including Konark Festival, Srikhetra Mahotsav, Baliyatra Festival, Kalidas Samaroh, National Festival of Dance and Music, Baliyatra Festival, Glory Festival, and many other prominent cultural events across the country.
