Bhubaneswar: Besides being known as a heritage crafts village for housing over 500 pattachitra artists, Raghurajpur has an another distinct identity-the birth place of Odissi doyen Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.
Born on January 8, 1926, he started his artistic journey from this nondescript village. He had challenges and obstacles too. Yet, he rose to fame and prominence, thanks to his determination and dedication.
A recipient of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, Kelubabu, as he was fondly referred, is credited with taking the dance form out of temple premises to global platforms by bringing about a radical change in its style and techniques and enriching the art world with over hundred beautiful creations.
In an ever changing world, it is crucial to remember the pioneer for his contribution to the art world. Srjan, Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Nrityabas, founded by Guruji in 1993, organises Antardrishti every year to commemorate Guruji’s birth anniversary by paying tribute through music and dance.
On February 12, Srjan in collaboration with Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre organised Antardrishti at Utkal Rangamanch in Bhubaneswar, celebrating Guruji’s 99th birth anniversary.
The evening commenced with the customary lighting the lamp ceremony attended by guests like Manoj Pattanayak, an eminent theatre personality, Dhira Mallick, a noted theatre personality, Laxmikant Palit, an eminent music director and composer, Guru Bichitrananda Swain, an eminent Odissi dancer, Anuja Tarini Mishra, an Odissi vocalist who is also the administrative officer of GKCM Odissi Research Centre. Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, son of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, director of Srjan also shared the dais.
The cultural evening got off to a fine start with young and talented Odissi vocalist Rupak Kumar Parida enchanting the art lovers with his rich and sonorous voice.He commenced his presentation with the iconic ashtapadi ‘Dheera Sameere’.
He went on to present one better than the other songs like ‘Adhara Sundara Nayana Sundara’, ‘Jeevana Patra Mo Bharichha Kete’, ‘Hey Abarnaniya Jagannath’, ‘Kaa Karun Sajani’ and ‘Naina More Taras Gaye’, transporting the audience to a different world. He has ably supported by Nikunja Bihari Samal on the Tabla, M Simadri on the Flute and the Saxophone, Bhabatosh Mohanty on the Guitar and Dipu Das Mohapatra on the Synthesiser.
Parida, a disciple of Guru Ramahari Das, Guru Bijay Kumar Jena and Guru Ajay Chakraborty, has received many awards and accolades including Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Pratibha Samman and Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Pratibha Samman. He has performed at various prestigious festivals in India and abroad.
In the second phase of the evening, seven senior dancers of Suravi, one of the premier Odissi dance institutions of the state founded by Guru Pitamber Biswal, a torchbearer of Guru Debaprasad Das style, came onto the stage.
The dancers-Meerabala Samantaray, Abhipsa Bhanja, Sweta Sahoo, Pallavi Ghosh, Ananya Priyadarshini, Debasmita Behera and Kirti Bijaini-commenced their performance with ‘Krishna Vandana’ based on Raga Deshe and Tala Jati and Ektali, choreographed by Guru Pitamber Biswal.
They went on to present ‘Balagopalstaka’, choreographed by Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, set to Raga Shankarabharana and Tala Ektali.The dancers were excellent in narrating Krishna’s childhood pranks and the makhan chori episode stood out.
A mechanical applause at the end of the presentation suggested that the dancers were up to the expectation.
The decoration of the stage was aesthetically simple and there were panels of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra’s photographs on both sides of the passage leading to the auditorium, with each photo telling a different story.
While Debiprasad Mishra’s brilliant light design added colours to the recitals, Dr Mrutyunjay Rath was the emcee of the evening.
