Cuttack: Buoyed by the encouraging response to its debut edition last year, Nrutyang Foundation Trust hosted the second edition of its unique programme ‘Khoj’ at Shatabdi Bhawan here on September 12.
Nrutyang Foundation Trust is the brain child of eminent Odissi dancer Guru Smt Sucheesmita Dash.
Committed to preserving, promoting and propagating Odissi dance in India and abroad, the trust as part of its endeavour to take the classical dance form to wider audiences and nurture the next generation of in which participants are introduced to the fundamentals of Odissi and its finer nuances.
‘Khoj’ is one such initiative. The programme begins with a workshop in which participants are introduced to the fundamentals of Odissi and its finer nuances. This is followed by a cultural evening where the participants present what they have learnt before gurus, connoisseurs and general audiences.
What sets ‘Khoj’ apart is a simple but powerful idea: The performers perform not in Odissi attire but in their practice costumes.
Why in practice dress? Guru Smt Sucheesmita Dash said she wanted her students to remain conscious of the fact that they are still at the learning stage. Performing in practice dress, she felt, would constantly remind them that they had yet to reach the stage where an accomplished performer in traditional costume.
The evening commenced with the auspicious lighting the lamp ceremony attended by Odissi exponent Padma Shri Guru Smt Kumkum Mohanty, renowned Odissi dancer Guru Smt Meera Dash, celebrated Odissi dancer and researcher Guru Smt Muktilata Pal and socio-cultural activist Dr Sk Kalimulaha.
A seminar on “Importance of Guru in Odissi Dance and How and Why Odissi Dance is Helpful for Children Along with Their Studies Specially in the AI Age” was subsequently held, with Padma Shri Guru Smt Kumkum Mohanty, renowned Odissi dancer Guru Smt Meera Dash, celebrated Odissi dancer and researcher Guru Smt Muktilata Pal as speakers.
They showered praise on Guru Smt Suchismita Dash for her unwavering commitment to preserving and propagating Odissi dance across the globe and wished her continued success in her endeavour.
Sharing experiences from their own journeys, the speakers recalled the challenges and hardships they had encountered on their way to establishing themselves in the dance fraternity. They emphasised that perseverance, discipline and determination had helped them overcome the hurdles.
They advised students not to get distracted when problems come in their way. They also laid emphasis on preserving the authenticity and originality of Odissi, cautioning against diluting its traditional character in the name of experimentation or modernisation.
In her address, Guru Smt Sucheesmita Dash spoke about her own journey, saying that reaching the present position had not been an easy road. Sharing insights on balancing personal and professional life, she advised the students to remain committed to their chosen pursuits.
Elaborating on the objectives of ‘Khoj’, she said the programme was conceived with twin aims of taking Odissi to every corner of the globe and nurturing future talents.
The highlight of the evening was the felicitation of two promising Odissi dancers Abhijit Deb and Maheswari Pradhan, in recognition of their dedication and hard work.
The cultural segment got off to a fine start with a mesmerising abhinaya ‘Sajakanja Nayana Kunje’ by three senior artistes of Nrutyang Foundation Trust. Doing credit to their guru, they gave a polished performance, earning wide round of applause. The artistes were Rajashree Rout, Santoshi Rout, Shilpashree Samal.
True to the spirit of ‘Khoj’, they too performed in their practice attire.
The evening also witnessed two guest performers- Abhijit Deb and Maheswari Pradhan. The former presented ‘Shankaravarana Pallavi’ while the latter performed an abhinaya ‘Mali Mala Shyama Ku Debi’. With their graceful movements and impeccable expressions, they left the art lovers spellbound.
The younger participants were not left behind. Artistes below seven years performed the basic steps of Odissi, while those above seven years presented ‘Ganesh Vandana’, ‘Mukhari Pallavi’, ‘Batu’ ‘Radha Madhava Chali’ in abhinaya, and a piece of Sambalpuri folk dance ‘Dalkhai’.
The artistes- Rajashree Rout, Santoshi Rout, Shilpashree Samal, Arpita Samantaray, Suryasnata Nanda and Sanvy Swain-left the audience captivated with their performances. All the items except for the presentations by the two guest artistes were presented in practice costumes—an element that remains central to the philosophy of ‘Khoj’.
The programme also acknowledged the contribution of parents. Seven parents were felicitated for their steadfast association with the institution for more than a decade.
Trust secretary Guru Smt Sucheesmita Dash left no stone unturned to make the evening entertaining and memorable while president of the trust, a retired headmistress and social worker Smt Sarojini Mishra presided over the programme.
Miss Tirtha Dash anchored the evening with ease and finesse.
Guru Smt Sucheesmita Dash started learning Odissi dance when she was just eight at Kala Vikash Kendra, Cuttack. She trained under several renowned gurus before receiving specialized guidance from Padma Shri Kumkum Mohanty.
An SNA awardee, Guru Smt Sucheesmita Dash has performed at several prestigious festivals across the country including Lumbini Festival (Hyderabad), Mukteswar Festival (Bhubaneswar), Konark Festival (Konark, Puri), Dhauli Festival (Bhubaneswar), among others. Over the years, her contribution to Odissi has also earned her several awards and accolades.
Once again ‘Khoj’ underlined a timeless truth: Before the spotlight comes the practice, and before perfection comes the journey.
