Bhubaneswar: The five-day long 27th OMC Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival, which witnessed performances of stalwarts, concluded Thursday.
After the customary auspicious lighting the lamp ceremony, the much awaited award giving ceremony began. Governor of Odisha Prof. Ganeshi Lal presented the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award 2021 to Smt. Binodini Devi for her immense contribution and lifetime achievement in the field of Theatre. An Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee, Smt. Devi is renowned for her acting in Abujha Raja ku Paalabinda Mantri, Parajhia Ghara Bhangena, Mu Eka Tumara, Agastya, Se Apana Mananka Bhitare, and Maati ra Manisha, to name a few films and dramas. The award carries a purse of Rs 1 lakh and a citation.
This was followed by the presentation of the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Pratibha Samman, which carries a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and a citation. The Governor presented the award to Arushi Mudgal for Odissi dance acknowledging her continued dedication to the art and in recognition of her inspiring performances, and to Ramachandra Behera, recognising his inspiring work and commitment to the field of Odissi music (Mardala).
The entire award ceremony was conducted with strict adherence to all the government mandated COVID-19 safety guidelines, while maintaining the required social distancing norms.
Then came the moment which dance lovers and connoisseurs eagerly waiting for- a bouquet of neo-classical innovations in Odissi dance. The presentations were all carefully and aesthetically conceptualized, and choreographed by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, the driving force behind Srjan’s success.
Beginning with an invocation to Lord Ganesha, Vinayaka Smarane, the dancers paid their obeisance to Lord Ganesha, who enshrined in the consciousness of those who pray to him for health, wealth, longevity, and the fulfilment of individual destinies. The dance presentation was set to the music composition of Vinod Kumar Panda.
In their second presentation, the Srjan ensemble presented a pure dance presentation, Parameshwari Pallavi, set to Raag Parameshwari and Khemta Taal. This new choreograph, featuring intricate rhythm patterns, with crisp footwork by the dancers was choreographed by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, and composed by Jateen Kumar Sahu.
This was followed by the dance ballet, Maati, written by renowned Odia poet, Radha Mohan Gadanayak. Maati is a homage to Mother Earth, who accepts everything that she is destined to be burdened with. She earns the ultimate victory in God’s eyes for her humility, the forbearance and eternal grace, meriting the most profound of praise and blessings.
The dance choreography was done by Ratikant Mohapatra. The music composition is by Laxmikant Palit and the script adaptation, by Jaydev Das.
The concluding item was an experimental piece, titled Shiva Shangsanam.
Dancing to the lyrics, Chandrachooda Shiva Shankara Gauri Ramana Yate Namo Namaha, the dancers paid obeisance to Lord Shiva, the Supreme Lord. While the original Kriti was composed by Saint Purandara Dasa, the Sanskrit adaptation is by Pt Nityananda Misra. The original music of Shri Navaneeth Sundar, was adapted for this composition by Shri Agnimitra Behera and Priyabrata Dash Mohapatra.
Smt. Rajashri Praharaj, Ritu Sengupta, Pragna, Riyanka, Aiswariya Singhdev, Sipra Swain, Preetisha Mohapatra, Reebdhita Barua and Maya Krishnamurty left the audience spellbound with their tremendous energy and well synchronisation.
Deviprasad Mishra’s light design needs special mention. His brilliance took the performance to the superlative level.
The entire festival was curated and designed by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, with the programme execution by Debiprasad Mishra. The MC for the festival was Maya Krishnamurty, member of the Srjan ensemble.
Photo courtesy: Srjan
