Bhubaneswar: It was an evening steeped in rhythm and reverence as the 84th birth anniversary of Mardala exponent, late Dr Banamali Maharana, was commemorated with grandeur at Utkal Rangamanch, Bhubaneswar. Organised by the Mardala Academy in collaboration with the GKCM Research Centre, the tribute turned into a cultural feast, rekindling the maestro’s legacy through soul-stirring performances.
The event was inaugurated by renowned flute maestro Mahini Mohan Pattnaik and Prasanna Kumar Swain, Vice Chancellor of Utkal University of Culture. They were joined by Mardala Academy’s advisor Guru Dhaneswar Swain and President Laxmikant Palit, setting the tone for an evening of nostalgia and musical finesse.
Adding a feather to the cap, the prestigious ‘Dr Guru Banamali Maharana Memorial Award’ was conferred upon eminent Odissi vocalist Prof Guru Ramhari Das, recognizing his invaluable contribution to Odissi music.
The evening kicked off on a high note with a group Mardala recital by the artistes of Bhagabatipur Jagannath Mardala Pratisthan, Nimapara, Puri, under the seasoned guidance of the institution’s founder-cum-president Guru Kalandi Charan Parida. Performers like Sunil Bhai Behera, Nishikant Pallei, Deepak Nayak, and Soumyakant Mallik took the audience on a rhythmic voyage, exploring the intricate facets of Jhamp Taal—showcasing nuances such as ‘jamana’, ‘ragada’, ‘chalana’, and ‘jati’. The recital was complemented beautifully by Guru Muralidhar Swain on the Harmonium.
The musical soiree continued with a solo Odissi vocal recital by Smt Sangeeta Panda, whose renditions of traditional pieces like ‘Sakhi Chanha Re’ and ‘Shyamabandhu Mo’ in Raga Madhushree mesmerized art connoisseurs. She was ably accompanied by Guru Niranjan Sahoo on the Mardala, Guru Muralidhar Swain on Harmonium, and Shradhanjali Sahoo on vocal support.
Bringing the evening to a crescendo, the ensemble ‘Chaturang’ enthralled the audience with a rhythmic jugalbandi featuring Tabla, Mardala, Ghatam, and Mrudanga. Guru Biswaranjan Nanda (Tabla), Guru Buddhanath Swain (Mardala), Soumyaranjan Nayak (Ghatam), and Soumyakant Mallik (Mrudanga) showcased the vibrant interplay of percussion, supported ably by Guru Prakash Chandra Mohapatra on the Harmonium.
Amid the musical homage, Dr Maharana’s disciples also renewed their long-standing demand for a statue of the maestro to be installed on the premises of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalay, expressing hope that this wish would materialize by the Academy’s silver jubilee celebrations next year.
It is worth recalling that after retiring from Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalay’s Mardala department in 1999, Dr Banamali Maharana went on to establish Mardala Academy in 2000, sowing the seeds of an institution that continues to nurture Mardala exponents. Lending strength to his vision were stalwarts like Guru Dhaneswar Swain, Guru Sachidananda Das, Guru Kalandi Charan Parida, Guru Bijay Kumar Barik, Guru Niranjan Sahoo, Prafulla Maharaj, Anil Kumar Pariksha, Dibakar Parida, Buddhanath Swain, and his son Surendra Maharana—all of whom stood by him to elevate the art form to new heights.
