Bhubaneswar: The fifth edition of two-day-long Shree Nrutyotsaba, organised by Shree Dance Academy, one of the premier Odissi dance institutions in Bhubaneswar, was held at Bhanjakala Mandap in Bhubaneswar on November 19 and 20.
On the inaugural evening, after the customary lighting the lamp ceremony attended by guests including Khandapara MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik; senior general manager, corporate affairs, IMFA Kishore Mohan Mohanty; Odissi dancers Snehaprabha Samantaray and Chapala Mishra, one after another scintillating performances were presented, making the evening an enjoyable one.
The inaugural item of the evening was a group presentation by Namita Ray and her students (Gayatri Behera, Suchitra Pradhan, Sriyanjali Sahoo, Suryasmita Swain, Itisikshya Pradhan, Shrutishree Swain, Sneha Verma, Shambhavi Nayak, Satya Prakash Mallik, Arpita Swain, Akriti Mishra, Arshita Padhi and Dimple Rajnandini Patra). They presented ‘Yogakshemam Vahamyaham’, set to Raga Malika and Tala Malika, dance direction by Namita Ray, conceptualized by Manas Jena, music composed by Satyabrata Katha and rhythm composed by Guru Dhaneswar Swain.
Excellent synchronisation and portraying of characters lifted the item to a higher level.
The second item of the evening was a solo Odissi presentation by eminent dancer Purnashree Raut, who is the assistant director of Chhattisgarh Culture department.
She presented ‘Sakhi Hey Kesi Madana Mudaram’, based on Raga Pahadi and Tala Jati.
Next came onto the stage Satabdi Mallik and Shradhanjali Rowlo to present an abhinaya ‘Jaya bhagabati debi’. Mallick and Roul, who have performed at many prestigious festivals, left the audience stunned with their presentation.
The following item was a group presentation by the students of Nrutyabilasa, a Bhubaneswar based Odissi dance institution run by Guru Brajakishore Mallik. They presented ‘Jhulana Utsav’.
The concluding item of the evening was a group presentation by the students of Shree Dance Academy. They presented an abhinaya ‘Ashtasambhu’, set to Raga Tripata and Tala Malkosh. While the item was one of the best choreographies of Guru Debaprasad Das, it was directed by Namita Ray. The dancers were Gayatri Behera, Suchitra Pradhan, Shriyanjali Sahoo, Suryasmita Swain, Itisikshya Pradhan, Shrutishree Swain, Sneha Verma, Sambhavi Nayak, Satya Prakash Mallik, and Akriti Mishra.
The presentation spoke volume of the hardwork employed by the students as well as their guru.
The second evening was started with an abhinaya ‘Sajani’, choreographed and presented by Namita Ray. Fluid body movements, outstanding facial expressions and depiction of characters lifted the item to a higher level.
The next performer was noted danseuse Sujata Mohapatra who presented Hamsadhwani Pallavi and an abhinaya, both were choreographies of legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. Both the items cast a magical spell on the audience who remained glued to their seats.
Next, disciples of Guru Madhumita Raut, daughter and disciple of Guru Mayadhara Raut, presented ‘Bairag Pallavi’. The performers were Shifali Taakiya, Garima Behura and Salvi Singh.
The following item was an abhinaya ‘Anila Tarala Kubalaya Nayanena’ based on Raga Bakula Varana and Tala Rupak presented by Dr Anisha Singh, a disciple of Namita Ray. While the item was choreographed by Guru Durgacharan Ranbir, it was directed by Namita Ray.
The next item was a group recital presented by dancers of Prajna Nrutyanusthana, an Odissi dance institution run by Guru Swayampragyan. They presented Suryastaka.
The concluding item of the evening was a group recital by the dancers of Shree Dance Academy. They presented ‘Ashadhasya Prathama Dibase’, set to Raga Madhyamadi and Tala Tripata and Ektali, music composed by Guru Ramhari Das, rhythm composition by Guru Dhaneswar Swain, choreographed by Guru Sangeeta Dash and direction by Namita Ray.
The item was a feast to the eyes of a packed audience.
While the guests of the concluding evening included Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi secretary Prabodh Kumar Rath, Bhubaneswar Doordarshan Kendra director Dipti Mishra, Odissi exponent Padma Shri recipient Ileana Citaristi and head of corporate affairs, Paradip Phosphate Limited Sudhi Ranjan Mishra, the emcee of both evenings was Biswajit Baliarsingh. The institution’s president Prafullo Kumar Patnaik was also present.
