Bhubaneswar: The curtains rose on the 48th edition of the Baishakhi Festival, organised by cultural outfit Chinta O Chetana, at Rabindra Mandap on Tuesday evening with a vibrant showcase of Odisha’s classical and folk traditions.
The evening began on a devotional note with an evocative abhinaya titled “Kanhi Gale Murali Phunka”, performed by Mokshada Tripathy, a promising disciple of renowned Odissi exponent Guru Gajendra Panda. Her expressive performance struck a chord with the audience, setting the tone for the rest of the evening.
Keeping with tradition, a ceremonial procession saw Lord Jagannath’s idol being brought onstage to the rhythmic clang of gongs. The idol was reverently placed on a specially constructed podium on the left side of the stage, followed by a solemn aarati performed by the priest, imbuing the hall with a sense of divine presence.
Celebrated Odissi maestro Guru Gajendra Panda, director of Tridhara and a devoted disciple of the legendary Guru Debaprasad Das, took center stage next. He presented “Mana Uddharana”, a deeply expressive abhinaya choreographed by his own guru, set to Raga Aaravi and Tala Tripata. The piece, based on a composition by Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja, captivated the audience with its lyrical grace and spiritual intensity.
The formal inauguration followed, as dignitaries including Sumitra Jena, Ghanashyam Pediwal, Durgashankar Sahoo, Bijaya Mishra, Guru Gajendra Panda, and Chinta O Chetana’s president Sahadev Sahoo and general secretary Surendra Das lit the ceremonial lamp, officially marking the festival’s commencement.
Adding youthful energy to the evening, six young Gotipua dancers from Abhinna Sundar Gotipua Nrutya Parishad, Raghurajpur, Puri, stole the spotlight with their presentation of Guru Vandana and “Ame Odiare Odia”. Their performance was a delightful blend of intricate acrobatics and devotional dance, showcasing the iconic Bandha Nrutya style that has put Raghurajpur on the cultural map.
The grand finale came in the form of a high-octane Sambalpuri folk dance, brought to life by Shankar Behera and his troupe from Bolangir. Their spirited performance brought the audience to their feet, rounding off the inaugural evening with a burst of color, rhythm, and raw energy.
All in all, the opening night of the Baishakhi Festival was a cultural feast that left art lovers asking for more, proving once again that tradition, when celebrated with heart and soul, never goes out of style.
