Bhubaneswar: Kokila Dance and Music Academy pulled out all stops at its fifth Foundation Day Festival, instituting Kokila Samman and conferring the maiden honour on Padma Shree Dr Aruna Mohanty at Bhanjakala Mandap, Bhubaneswar, on Thursday evening.
Started just five years ago, the festival over the year has already carved a niche for itself in the city’s cultural landscape. thanks to its seamless management and choice of cultural items. Year after year, the festival has gone from strength to strength, winning hearts with its impeccable organisation and thoughtfully curated performances.
This year’s edition raised the bar yet again.
The evening was graced by distinguished guests including Bhubaneswar Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Mayor Sulocahana Das, CSNA awardee Mardala maestro Guru Dhaneswar Swain, ward no 49 corporator Smt Sanjukta Sundaray and ward no 62 corporator Charulata Samantaray, who inaugurated the evening by lighting the auspicious lamp. Institution’s president Hrudaya Ballava Samantaray, director Smt Monalisha Samantaray and coordinator Bismlliah Khan Yuva Purashkar awardee Guru Pravat Kumar Swain also shared the dais.
In their addresses, the guests heaped praises on the institution and wished it many more milestones in the years ahead.
The spotlight was then shifted to the felicitation ceremony. While Padma Shri Dr Aruna Mohanty was honoured with the first-ever Kokila Samman 2026, eminent Odissi dance guru Smt Arati Kar was presented the third Arun Kumar Bhuyan Samman 2026 by Manashi Bhuyan, wife of late Arun Kumar Bhuyan and mother of Guru Monalisha Samantaray.
The highlight of this year’s cultural segment was an Odissi dance drama ‘Jagannatha Jatra’. Choreographed by Guru Pravat Kumar Swain, music composed by Guru Sukant Kumar Kundu and rhythm by Guru Dhaneswar Swain, the production brought alive the vibrant festivals associated with Puri Srimandir.
More than thirty dancers beautifully painted a mesmerising picture of rituals amd celebrations including ‘Holi’, ‘Dola Parva’, ‘beginning of agricultural work and commencement of chariot construction on Akshaya Tritiya’, ‘Chandan Yatra’ and the grand ‘Rath Yatra’.
The imaginative use of ‘Bimana’ while narrating ‘Dola Yatra’ and ‘Tahiya’ in the ‘Rath Yatra’ segment added feathers to the production’s cap, winning applause from the audience.
Speaking about the dancers, barring a few tiny tots, all were well trained and they did their guru proud by delivering a neat performance. In such productions, where chaotic entries and exists are often witnessed, this presentation moved like clockwork. The synchronized formations by standing one behind the other and seamless transitions spoke volume of time spent in rehearsals. All in all, it was a visual delight.
The evening also featured a charming group Odissi recital ‘Mo Jaga Kalia Re’, presented by sub-junior dancers of the institution. Directed by Suchismita Sahu, the item was delivered by b Dibyanshi Jena, Siddi Swarupa, Divanshi Behera, Avighna Rout, Devi Dakshyayini. Heera Pradhan, Anisha Nanda, Saanvi Tanaya, Kaishiki Kusum, Manyata Biswal, Sruti Sadhana, Vaishnika Behera, Jharana Kumari, Adwika Varnini and Avishi.
Another group Odissi dance recital ‘Namami’ was presented. The item, choreographed by Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatyra, music composed by Pandit Bhubaneswar Mishra and direction by Aadyasha Indira Mohanty, was presented by Jayashree Mohanty, Srinika Dash, Anvi Panigrahi, Samridhi Ashe, Adreja Biswal, Adwita Biswal, Ritikhya Dash, Subhashree Sahoo, Sanvi Mohanty, Priyasha, Rajeswaree Biseswaree, Sriyanshi Priyadarshini and Avika Biswal.
In a pure dance item, ‘Sthai’, choreographed by Guru Pankaj Charan Das and directed by Tanuj Kumar Panda, nineteen dancers left the art lovers captivated with their stunning performance.
Adding further sheen to the evening, a graceful ‘Pallavi’ set to Raga Kalyana and Tala Ektali, choreographed by Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and music by Pandit Bhubganeswar Mishra was presented. The performers were Sanpriya Sahoo, Adyasha Priyadarshini Sahoo, Abhipsha Sahoo, Akshara panda, Priyanshi Mishra Rout, Pari Priyadarshini, Sai Suvasandhya, Taavi Mohapatra and Roshi.
The first year students’ spirited performance ‘Mo Odisha Mo Odisha’, directed by Sushree Suchismita Sahoo and Sharmistha Rani Panda, captivated the audience.
While the evening was seamlessly anchored by Dr Mrutyunjay Rath, the tireless efforts and unwavering dedication of Hrudaya Ballava Samantaray, Guru Smt Monalisha Samantaray and Guru Pravat Kumar Swain ensured the evening went off without a hitch.
Kokila Dance and Music Academy is the brain child of Guru Monalisha Samantaray who founded it in 2019. Here, the academy offers professional training in Odissi dance, modern dance, folk dance, Hindustani vocal, casio, guitar, tabla, flute, violin, sitar and drums.
