Bhubaneswar: The second day of the 21st Dhauli-Kalinga Mahotsav witnessed a captivating blend of Odissi, folk and Attakkalari martial dance forms.
The festival, held at Shanti Vihar on the foothills of Dhauli with the calm and solemn statue of Lord Buddha overlooking the entire stage from the white Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa) was jointly organized by the Department of Odia Language, Literature & Culture, Government of Odisha, and Orissa Dance Academy, in association with Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi and Art Vision.
Besides captivating performances, the evening also witnessed presentation of prestigious Buddha Samman and Guru Gangadhar Smruti Samman.
After lighting the auspicious lamp, Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo and Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Government of Odisha, Satyabrata Sahoo gave away the awards.
While eminent Odissi vocalist and musicologist Guru Prof Ramhari Das, who is a recipient of Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and has founded Ramhari Das Odissi Gurukul in Puri’s Satyabadi area, received Buddha Samman for his lifetime contribution to Odissi music, the recipients of Guru Gangadhar Smruti Samman were eminent Odissi dancer Sharmila Biswas, renowned singer and composer Dr Sangita Gosain, noted Mardala exponent Guru Kalandi Charan Behera and noted art promoter Khirod Mohan Pattnaik.
What followed next left the audience hooked to their seats. Over one hundred artistes presented ‘Gatha Odisha’. In this item, a beautiful blending of classical, folk and contemporary dance forms, the dancers depicted why Odisha is known for, it’s glorious history, rich cultural heritage, awe-inspiring sculptural marvels, colourful festivals, attracting textiles, mouthwatering cousins or vibrant tribal dances.
The dancers’ flawless entry and exit and the synchronisation spoke volume of the efforts put up by the dancers and the choreographer.In this item, besides the dancers of Orissa Dance Academy, the dancers of Nrutya Naivedya, Samprada, Soor Mandir, Devadasi, Moksha, Nilakantheswar Gotipua Gurukul and Cornucopia Creations also participated.
The item was choreographed by Padma Shri recipient Guru Aruna Mohanty in assistance with Janardan Raj Urs, concept by Guru Mohanty, music composed by Agnimitra Behera and rhythm composed by Guru Dhaneswar Swain. Of course, Devi Prasad Mishra’s light design needs special mention.
The standing ovation given by the audience to the artistes and all those who were involved in the production was testimony to the fact that it ticked all the boxes of a successful presentation.
The concluding item of the evening was a stunning performance by the artistes of Attakkalari Centre for Movement of Arts, a Bangalore based institution founded by Jayachandran Palazhy, who is also the artistic director of the institution.They presented ‘Sonnet of Samsara’, a thought-provoking performance that delves into the themes of Samsara, karmic cycles, and environmental consciousness.
This immersive production combined stylized movement, rituals, and dynamic narratives to create a sensorial experience that challenged the audience to reflect on their relationship with the environment.
The artistes adapting movement principles from Kalarippayattu and Bharatanatyam, beautifully intertwined global themes with local traditions.
The piece featured a powerful finale with stunning visual and movement language, showcasing the talents of Attakkalari Dance Company and Kalarippayattu artists.
Indeed, ‘Sonnet of Samsara’ is a testament to the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of contemporary dance and exploring themes that resonate with audiences globally.
The program was anchored by Dr. (En.) Srinivas Ghatuari and Nazia Alam.
