Bhubaneswar: The Horizon Series, organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in collaboration with Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Research Centre at Utkal Rangmanch here on July 28, witnessed some scintillating performances by young and talented dancer Gaurishankar Dash and his students.
After the customary lighting the lamp ceremony attended by guests comprising chief executive of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre Subodh Acharya, Odissi guru Smt Sikata Das and director and zonal head of ICCR, Minakshi Mishra, the cultural evening started.
Founder of Devanshi Dance Academy, Dash and his disciples presented a beautiful Odissi dance evening to the art lovers.
The evening commenced with Mangalacharan ‘Bhaje Brajek Mandanam’ by Dash, invoking the blessings of Lord Krishna. Set to Raga Vakula Varana and Tala Ektali, the item was choreographed by Guru Bichitrananda Swain. This presentation set the motion of the evening.
The following item was Pallavi, presented by Dash and his two disciples-Bansita Pattnaik and Abhipsa Das, choreographed by Padmavibhushan recipient Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, music by Pandit Bhubaneswar Mishra, set to Raga Kirivani and tala Khemta. The trio elaborated the Raga Kirivani through dance.
The next item was ‘Kaibarta Prasanga’, an Abhinaya by Dash where he beautifully presented the episode from the Ramayan. The item was choreographed by Guru Nabakishore Mishra, music by Guru Ramesh Chandra Das, set to Raga Bageshree and tala Jatitala and Ektali.
The concluding item was Moksha, a group presentation by Dash and N Subhalaxmi, N Bidyashree, Sweta Satarupa, Bansita Pattnaik, Abhipsa Das and Sushree Sangeeta of his dance school, Devanshi Dance Academy. The item was one of the finest choreographies of Odissi doyen Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.
Dash and his disciples demonstrated amazing talents, making all the items pleasant to both trained and untrained eyes.
Dash, an eminent Odissi dancer grown with the blessings of renowned Odissi guru Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. He further honed his skill under the watchful eyes of Guru Kasturi Pattanaik, Guru Nabakishore Mishra and Guru Bichitrananda Swain.
His versatile talent was further enriched with folk dance training from Guru Gangadhar Dash, Chhau dance from Guru Subrat Pattanaik, Bihu dance from Guru Kumud Nath and Odissi music from Guru Prafulla Chandra Sahoo.
