Bhubaneswar: The two-day-long prestigious Dr. Dibakar Mishra Gandharva Kala Mahotsav 2025, marking the golden jubilee of the renowned cultural organization Gandharva Kala Parishad, Bhubaneswar, concluded at Rabindra Mandap on June 22, leaving the audience in awe with a bouquet of performances steeped in classical and folk traditions.
The evening was inaugurated by lighting the auspicisou lamp by guests including secretary of Odisha Sahitya Akademi and Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Chandrasekhar Hota, novelist Sadananda Tripathy, novelist Ajay Swain and director of Pakshighara Prakashanee Banoj Tripathy.
In the next segment, adding literary flavour to the festival, the cover launch of festival director Sanjay Bhatt’s story collection ‘Rebati O Anyanya Galpa’ was held.
On this occasion, young sculptor Manas Kumar Maharana was felicitated with ‘Gandharva Kala Srujan Sambardhana 2025’ award.
The cultural evening commenced with Odissi vocalist Sangeeta Panda, daughter and disciple of eminent vocalist Guru Gopal Chandra Panda, presenting soulful Odissi vocal recitals. She started her rendition with ‘Kaha Kaha Priya Sahi’, and ‘Banchibi Ki Sajani’ based on Raag Krushna Kedar and concluded with Gita Govinda’s 12th prabandh ‘Kathita Samayepi’, based on Raag Malabaguada and Taal Jhampa, casting a spell on the music lovers.
She was lent a good support by Niranjan Sahoo on the Mardala, Muralidhar Swain on the Harmonium and Shradhanjali Sahu on the Tanpura.
Next, raising the tempo of the evening, the dance presentations began with the traditional item of invocation Mangalacharan.
Dancers of the host institution Gandharva Kala Parishad (Shreya Sanskruti Nayak, Ridhima Mohanty, Bhumika Baliarsingh, Pragyanpriyadarshini, Abhilipsa Nayak, Pinkle Munda, Saiswetakshi Dalai, Priyanshi Barik, Subhalaxmi Rout, Shreyashree Pattanayak, Anudhhya Saishradha, and Jigisha Sahoo) presented a Vishnu Vandana with the shloka ‘Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam’. It was both devotional and dynamic.
But it was secretary of Gandharva Kala Parishad Guru Dr. Gayatri Mishra’s solo performance that struck an emotional chord.
Her abhinaya ‘Braja Ku Chora’, choreographed by the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, portrayed Yoshada cajoling and even terrorising little Krishna to go to sleep or else a thief will come and take him away.
Gayatri’s abhinaya of playing with the toddler was a visual delight. At no point did one feel the absence of mother Yoshada and Krishna on the stage.
Particularly the moment when she gestured to the applauding audience to remain quiet—lest Krishna wake up—needs special mention and would remain etched in this reviewer’s memory.
Gayatri has the opportunity to learn Odissi dance from legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and now she is honing her skills under the tutelage of Guru Smt Muktilata Pal.
She has performed at many prestigious festivals in India and abroad and received awards and accolades including Rajiv Gandhi Sadvabana Award, Manomanini Felicitation and Maharshi Parasar Award, Dr Jagannath Kuanr Odissi Dance Award, Nrityanipuna Nrityashiromani Award, Gayadhar Rout Sanskriti Award, Odisha Personality Award, Jhariel Kalashree Samman, Abhiruchi Samman, Swarnima Nari Shakti Samman, Sanskriti Nrutya Kala samman, Guru Deba Prasad Das Gold Medal, Bira Kalinga Kala Samman etc.
The art connoisseurs were once again treated with a solo Odissi dance recital by young and talented dancer Guru Gourishankar Dash, founder of Devanshi Dance Academy and curator of Saptashajya Dance Festival.
He presented one of his own choreographies, Bagesree Pallavi, set to Raag Bagesree, Taal Ektali, music composed by Guru Sukant Kumar Kundu and rhythm by Guru Dhaneswar Swain.
In this pure dance item, he showcased his sculptural poses and aesthetic precision, making it a visual delight for both trained and untrained eyes.
Adding to the charm, Dr Anisha Anukampa and Prachi Mishra, disciples of Padma Shri recipient Kumkum Mohanty presented ‘Ki Sobha Go Kunje’, set to Raag Ananda Bhairabi and Taal Malika, choreographed by Kumkum Mohanty and music composed by Pandit Bhubaneswar Mishra.
Blessed with a chiseled body, both are excellent dancers. However, by profession, the former is a doctor and the latter is running a play school named ‘Chaatsali Gurukul’ and a dance institution ‘Mugdha Mudra’.
Both dancers successfully demonstrated the nuances of feelings of joyful mood of sakhis who are delighted after watching Radha and Krishna in Kunjabana.
From there, the spotlight turned to the next generation. Fourteen young prodigies of the host institution (Akanksha Bhoi, Amruta Sambhabana, Samohini Panigrahi, Anshika Rout, Dibyanshi singh, Abhilipsa Mohanty, Mananya Das, Sayena Simran, Tapaswiuni Sahoo, Priyanshi Mohapatra, Srinika Verma, Tanishka Rout, Bhumika Baliarsingh and Naumika) performed a spirited group dance to the bhajan ‘Le Lo Le Baula’, followed by another group piece ‘Ahe Nila Saila’—a heartfelt offering to Lord Jagannath—performed by six budding dancers (Trisha Priyadarshini, Anvi Rath, Saini Sulabha Panigrahi, Sweta Pattanayak, Yashita Nayak and Kussum Digal).
The evening concluded with a duet Sambalpuri folk dance ‘Pakhna Upare Jharana Pani’ by Jyotshnarani Paltasingh and Bijendra Nath, bringing the down, with many in the audience tapping their feet to the infectious rhythm.
The emcee of the evening was Dr Mrutyunjaya Rath, who gracefully handled the festival, while festival director Sanjay Bhatt, an accomplished visual artist and storyteller, extended the vote of thanks. Tapan Mishra ensured the event ran like clockwork, efficiently overseeing coordination and logistics with finesse.
