Bhubaneswar: Debaprasad Nrutya Pratisthan, a charitable organisation founded by eminent Odissi dancer Guru Gayatri Chand to popularise Guru late Debaprasad Das’ vision and significance of his choreographies, organised Being Aware-2 and Nrutyanjali at Buddha Mandir auditorium in Bhubaneswar on March 9.
For the audience, it was a wonderful mixture of spiritual and cultural experiences.
After the auspicious lighting the lamp ceremony attended by guests like Odissi dance exponents, Bijayalaxmi Mohanty and Neeta Bohidar, a seminar was held. It was the second edition of ‘Being Aware’. Guru Gayatri Chand, Guru Anita Singhdeo, Guru Chapala Mishra and Samiksha Pani took part in the seminar and shared their views on the importance of self purification.
The next segment of the evening witnessed felicitation of some Odissi dancers. Shiva Shakti Guru Debaprasad Das Srestha Guru Samman 2024 was conferred upon Guru Bharat Charan Giri. Similarly, Odissi dancers Sekhar Suman Majhi, Samiksha Pani and Spandita Kumari received Shiva Shakti Guru Debaprasad Das Srestha Juba Pratibha Samman 2024. Odissi dancer Suhana Mishra was felicitated with Shiva Shakti Guru Debaprasad Das Srestha Pratibha Samman 2024.
The cultural evening witnessed some scintillating performances.
The first performer of the evening was Sekhar Suman Majhi, a disciple of Guru Durga Charan Ranbir. He presented a Mangalacharan, set to Raga Malika and Tala Tala Malika. While it was his own choreographed, music composed by Bata Gopal Tripathi and rhythm by Madhab Srinandan Sahoo. With his impressive facial expressions and body movements , he instantly stroke a chord with the art lovers.
Next performer was Suhana Mishra, who is honing her dancing skill under the watchful eyes of Guru Gayatri Chand. She presented Sthayee Nrutya, set to Raga Shankarabharana and Tala Ektali, choreographed by Guru Debaprasad Das.
Her grace and expressional face caught the attention of the audience.
Next Samiksha Pani came onto the stage. A disciple of Guru Gayatri Chand, she commenced her recital with Mukhari Pallavi, set to Raga Mukhari and Tala Jati, choreographed by Guru Gayatri Chand, music and vocal by Guru Ramahari Das and rhythm by Guru Dhaneswar Swain.
She followed it up with an Abhinaya ‘Lajare Sarigali Aja’, set to Raga Khambaj and Tala Ektali. Guru Gayatri Chand was it’s choreographer.
Bestowed with a pair of expressive eyes, she made her presentation enjoyable with her lyrical body movements and space management.
The concluding item of the evening was an Abhinaya presented by Spandita Kumari, a disciple of Guru Bharat Charan Giri. Her Abhinaya was ‘Rati Sukha Sare’ from Geeta Govinda, by 12th century saint-poet Jayadeva. Based on Raga Kalyana and Tala Ektali, the item was choreographed by Guru Bharat Charan Giri. She concluded her recital with ‘Moksha’, again a choreographic composition of Guru Bharat Charan Giri.
Sushree Mohanty was the emcee of the evening.
