BHUBANESWAR: In remembrance of Guru Debaprasad Das, Tridhara, Bhubaneswar organised the 34th Shradhanjali Samaroha at Rabindra Mandap here in Bhubaneswar on March 16.
This one day festival starting from 9:00 am to 9:30 pm spread over three sessions with lunch and tea breaks.
The festival featured gurus, senior dancers from different parts of the country belonging to the Guru Debaprasad Das gharana.
In the morning, gurus, disciples, well wishers and distinguished guests offered floral tributes and garlanded the statue of the doyen of Odissi at the compound of the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, amidst sounds of conch, brass cymbals, dhol, mahuri and ululation.
Thereafter, the dancers and guests proceeded towards Rabindra Mandap, the main venue, which is next to Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya.
The customary traditional lighting the auspicious lamp ceremony and offering floral tribute to the photograph of the doyen of Odissi Dance placed on the left corner of the stage by the guests was followed by an engaging performance ‘Panchadeva’, presented by talented dancers of the host institution Tridhara. The way the dancers delineated different aspects of Ganesh, Narayan, Shiva, Ambika and Surya, it spoke volume of the practice. Set to raga Raga Malika and tala Tala Malika, the item was choreographed by Guru Gajendra Panda, music by Laxmikant Palit, rhythm by Guru Dhaneswar Swain.
‘Shradhanjali Samaroha’ stage decoration needs mention here. It was simple but aesthetic. Besides the photograph of Guru Debaprasad Das on the left corner of the stage, there was a large portrait at the centre of the stage placed on a replica of a carved podium and pillars on both sides with three cardboard cutout logos of Tridhara- three leaves on a stem-one in centre and two on both sides.
The following items were an abhinaya ‘Kunjavane Kalanidhi’, written by Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja and presented by dancers of Nrutyapranam, a Nayagarh based dance institution, ‘Mahakali Dhyana’ by Odissi Sadhana Peeth from Berhampur, ‘Sthayee Nrutya’ by Sandhya Odissi Nrutya Academy, ‘Devi Taratarini Dhyana’ by Odissi Nrutyayana from Berhampur, ‘Uthilu Ede Begi Kanhiki’, an abhinaya by Kalakendra from Sarangagarh in Chhattisgarh, ‘Shiva Tandav’ by Jatiya Kala Pratisthan from Kandarpur, ‘Shivastaka’ by Nrutyaprabha from Jatni, ‘Durga Tandav’ by Shree Sai Dance Academy from Nirakarpur, ‘Kalabati Pallavi’ by Nrutyam from Hinjlicut, ‘Tham thei’ by Shree Jagannath Odissi Kala Kendra from Parlakhemundi, ‘Ganesh Dhyana’ by Utkalika Sangeet Academy from Nirakarpur, ‘Kashi Vishwanath Dhyana’ by Aradhya Dance Academy from Berhampur, an abhinaya by Utkalika from Berhampur and ‘Balagopalastaka’ by the talented dancers of Nrutyanjali, a Bhubaneswar based dance institution.
The presentations were so well executed that it would be invidious to single out the best performer/group.
The afternoon session began at 4:00 pm with invited dignitaries like theatre personality Ramesh Prasad Panigrahi, PPL’s Sudhir Mishra, researcher Barada Prasanna Das, poet Bijay Mohanty and research professional Pitabasa Routray remembering Guruji, describing what separates him from others.
The next segment was dedicated to dance presentation. The artistes of Ninatrisha Dance Academy from Bangalore presented ‘Ganesh Tandav’, the first item of the afternoon session.
This was followed by some brilliant performances by some stellar performers belonging to some renowned dance institutions that are following the legacy of Guru Debaprasad Das style of dance. ‘Ganga Tarang’ was presented by Lasts Dance Academy from Cuttack, ‘Shrita Kamala Kucha Mandala’ by Nataraj Kalamandir from Boudh, ‘Sthai’ by Angahara Nrutyayana from Berhampur, ‘Shivastutee’ by Tribhanga Kala Niketan from Bhubaneswar, ‘Jay Jagannath’ by Natyashastra from Bhubaneswar, ‘Sabhinaya Pallavi’ by Gokulshree Das and Group from Bhubaneswar, ‘Nitya Jagannath’ by Lingaraj Kalaniketan from Puri, ‘Pallavi’ by Prajnya Nrutyayana from Bhubaneswar, ‘Agnistutee’ by Nrutya Nilaya from Angul, ‘Devistutee’ by Nrutyarachana from Bhubaneswar, ‘Pallavi’ by Nrutya Pratibha from Bhubaneswar, an abhinaya by Suravi from Bhubaneswar, ‘Krushna Vandana’ by Bishwanath Kalakendra from Cuttack, ‘Aigiri Nandini’ by Shree Dance Academy from Bhubaneswar and ‘Bighna Binashan’ was presented by Kala Bikash Kendra from Cuttack. Baring one or two presentations, all the performances offered a visual treat to both trained and untrained eyes.
The evening session of this one-day programme had some powerful performances in store. The guests of the evening include Principal secretary, Odia Language, Literature and Culture department, Bishnupada Sethi, head of Hi-tech Group Tirupati Panigrahi, Lord Jagannath’s servitor Narayan Khuntia remembered guruji. They were common in narrating guruji’s contribution in the field of Odissi dance.
The following session was felicitation session. ‘Guru Debaprasad Nrutya Ratna Award’ was presented to 11 gurus and Odissi dance exponents Guru Pushparanjan Mangaraj, Guru Bikram Samal, Guru Pitambar Biswal, Guru Suresh Kumar Khuntia, Smt. Swapnarani Sinha, Smt. Prativa Panda, Smt. Namita Ray, Smt. Dipti Routray, Guru Santa Rao, Guru Jayant Kumar Acharya and Smt. Swayampragnya Sahu for their outstanding contribution in promoting Guru Debaprasad Nrutya parampara at national and international level.
The felicitation session was followed by the cultural session. Lucky Mohanty and Jayanti Sarmah, repertory members of Jayantika- Mayadhar Raut School of Odissi Dance, New Delhi, presented ‘Durga Stuti’, originally composed by Guru Mayadhar Raut on the verses from Lalita Sahasranam and Durga Saptashati.
Jayanti is a senior disciple of Madhumita Raut and legendary Guru Padma Shri awardee Mayadhar Raut. Similarly, Lucky studied Odissi dance at Kala Vikas Kendra under the watchful eyes of Padma Shri awardee Guru Kumkum Mohanty and Guru Kanduri Charan Behera. He is presently learning dance from Guru Mayadhar Raut and Madhumita Raut.
Both the dancers were equally good in anga sudhi, body movements, facial expressions and speed. Their presentation left the audience glued to their seats. The repertory members of Tridhara presented a spellbound performance ‘Laxminrusinghadhyana. The item was set to raga Mangala Gujjari and Lalita and tala EkTaali and Jati, music composed by Guru Gopal Chandra Panda and rhythm composed by Guru Dr Banamali Maharana. The item was choreographed by Guru Gajendra Panda.
One of the claims to fame of Tridhara repertory’s group presentation is synchronisation. And it was once again established. This apart, the dancers were individually marked by their fluid body movements, amazing charming on face and perfect stances. It gave an engrossing viewing experience.
The evening also witnessed some brilliant performances by Jyoti Kala Mandir, Bhubaneswar; Nrutyabilash, Bhubaneswar; Nrutyashree, Bhubaneswar; Nrutyadarpana, Bhubaneswar; Bhubaneswar Kala Kendra, Bhubaneswar; Utkala Kala Niketan, Patamundai; Udayasurjya, Banki and Om Kalinga Kala Parishad, Bhubaneswar.
Dr (Er) Srinibas Ghatuary was the emcee of all the three sessions-morning, afternoon and evening. And he was excellent in doing his part as he is always. Smt Rina Panda was the festival coordinator.
By kalasanskruti.
