Bhubaneswar: Eminent Odissi dancer and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Guru Snehaprava Samantray, renowned Mardala exponent Guru Dhaneswar Swain and noted Odissi dancer and chief executive of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre Guru Sikata Das were awarded with Stabaka Kala Samman 2024 at Stabaka, a dance and music festival organised by Chinmayee Classics at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar on November 11 and 12.
Chinmay Classics is one of the premier Odissi dance institutions of the state founded by noted Odissi dancer Guru Prabhati Kar in 1991. Under her able guidance, the institution has flourished and still continues to march ahead. Since inception, the institution has been making tremendous efforts to popularise Odissi dance, music, instrumental and arts and crafts in India as well as in abroad. It’s students trained under watchful eyes have performed at various prestigious festivals in and outside the state, making the institution and their guru proud and living up to the expectation.
The festival, which is improving every year, also witnessed the presentation of Stabaka Yuba Samman and Raghunath Panda Memorial Award. While Smt D Rashmi, a Bengaluru based Odissi dancer and Smt Asha Kumari, a Bhubaneswar based Odissi dancer were felicitated with Stabaka Yuba Samman, Raghunath Panda Memorial Award was given to Late Sarat Kumar Ganguly, who established Jagannath Chitralaya in Cuttack.
As the festival name suggests( Stabaka means a flower bouquet), a bouquet of scintillating performances were presented.After the auspicious lighting the lamp ceremony attended by guests like social worker and BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan, Smt Sashiprabha Mishra and Odissi guru Niranjan Rout, there was award presentation ceremony with Guru Snehaprava Samantray and Guru Sikata Das receiving Stabaka Kala Samman and Smt D Rashmi and Smt Asha Kumari receiving Stabaka Yuba Samman and Meenakshi Ganguly receiving Raghunath Panda Memorial Award on behalf of her husband Late Sanat Kumar Ganguly.
The inaugural evening’s first item was ‘Jagannath Ashtakam’ presented by Smt D Rashmi.In this invocatory piece based on the verses from the popular Jagannath Ashtakam, D Rashmi beautifully portrayed how Lord Jagannath enjoys lotus-like faces of the beautiful gopis of Vrindavan as He plays his flute in the groves on the banks of river Yamuna. A gifted dancer, she described how His compassion is as vast like an ocean, how He looks like dark clouds filled with water.The item was based on Raga Charukeshi and Tala Ektali, composed by Shri Adi Shankaracharya, music composed by Rajesh Lenka, rhythm composed by Soubhagya Narayan Chhotray and choreographed by Madhulita Mohapatra.
The second item of the evening was ‘Saberi Pallavi’, presented by Dr Chinmayee Kar, a pure dance based on Raga Saveri and Tala Ektali, choreographed by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and music composed by Pandit Bhubaneswar Mishra.Her performance stood out for her lyrical body movements, beautiful facial expressions and expressive eye movements.
The following item was ‘Dheera Sameere’ from 12th century poet Jayadeva’s Geeta Govinda, presented by D Rashmi. Based on Raga Jhinjhoti and Tala Ektali, the item was choreographed by Guru Madhulita Mohapatra and music composed by Guru Bijay Kumar Jena.Delving into the nuances of Abhinaya, D Rashmi cast a spell on the art lovers.
The next item was ‘Madhabe Maa Kuru Manini Manamayee’ from Gita Govinda, presented by Asha Kumari, a New Delhi based Odissi dancer. The item was based on Raga Saveri and Tala Ektali, choreographed by Padma Shri recipient Guru Aruna Mohanty, music composed by Dr Subash Pani, rhythm by Guru Bijay Kumar Barik and arrangment by Late Sumanta Mohanty.Her presentation with immaculate facial expressions and body language left the audience hooked to their seats.
Next came onto the stage was Shreya Mishra, a disciple of Guru Bijay Kumar Dash. She presented ‘Konark Kanti’, based on Raga Raga Malika and Tala Tala Malika, choreographed by Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, Guru Manoranjan Pradhan and Guru Aruna Mohanty, directed by Guru Bijay Kumar Dash, music composed by Sumanta Mohanty, rhythm composed by Guru Sachikanta Nayak and lyrics by Guru Nabakishore Mishra. Her clarity of abhinaya made it easy for the audience to make out what she depicted.
Next item was a duet performed by Smt Ashwasana Biswal and Smt Roogdhatri Mishra, both from Bhubaneswar. They presented Rageshree Pallavi, based on Raga Rageshree and Tala Ektali, choreographed by Guru Gangadhar Pradhan and music composed by Guru Ramahari Das. Their excellent stage management and body movements made the presentation a treat for both trained and untrained eyes.
The evening came to an end with some Sambalpuri folk dance performances by the students of the host institution.
The second evening was equally entertaining.
The guests of the evening, ex-principal of RD Women’s College Aditya Mohanty, Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee poet and columnist Gayatri Panda, president of Jai Odisha Rudra Narayan Samantaray, corporator Raj Kishore Das, Odissi exponents Pranati Mohanty and Dr Itishree Dwivedi, inaugurated the second evening by lighting the lamp.
In the next, Mardala exponent Guru Dhaneswar Swain was felicitated with Stabaka Kala Samman 2024.
The cultural evening began with a group Guitar presentation. Twelve students of the host institution aged between eight and twelve performed ‘Kuchh Na Kaho’ and ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’. They were accompanied by Karpur Kumar Nayak on the Pad and Lipu Kumar Diggal on the Keyboard. The students are receiving training from Kishore Kumar Swain.
Next, the students of the host institution presented Hindustani classical vocal recitals. Their presentation commenced with Raag Bhopali based on Madhyalaya Chhota Khayal Teentaal. They concluded their presentation with two bhajans.
Both items left the audience mystified.
The next item was a group Odissi presentation ‘Panchadeba Stutee’, based on Raga Raga Malika and Tala Tala Malika. Seven senior dancers of the host institution presented it, paying homage to five deities such as Lord Ganesha, Lord Sun, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Devi. With their grace and clarity of movements and expressions captivated the audience.
The following item was ‘Sthayee’, a pure dance piece offered by eight students. The art lovers appreciated their presentation. The following item was ‘Ahe Nila Saila’, presented by Mamita Patra. The evening concluded with ‘Swagatam’ and fusion dances by the students of Chinmayee Classics.
Till the last item, art lovers were seen remained glued to their seats.
While Biswajit Baliarsingh was the anchor of the first evening, Er Srinivas Ghatuary was the emcee of the concluding evening.
