Cuttack: The third edition of ‘Nrutyang Samarth Music and Dance Festival’ organised by Nrutyang Foundation Trust in association with the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, Government of India, was recently held at Kalabikas Kendra in Cuttack.
The day-long festival unfolded in three vibrant sessions—morning, afternoon and evening—celebrating the rich heritage of Indian classical and folk dance.
The morning session, held from 9 am to 1 pm, witnessed some scintillating solo Odissi and Mahari performances. The invited guests who graced the session included eminent Odissi dancer Guru Shrabani Mitra, Odissi dancer Malabika Jena, writer Tanmayee Panda and art lover and social activist Santosh Kumar Hota, inaugurated the festival by lighting the auspicious lamp. The trust’s chairperson eminent litterateur Sarojini Mishra and founder-cum-secretary Sucheesmita Das were also present on the dais.
The guests felicitated the performers with trophies, shawls and certificates. Despite the early hours, the auditorium witnessed a commendable turnout of art lovers, lending the session resounding success.
The afternoon session was equally engaging. Solo, duet and group Odissi and folk dance performances by the host institution’s artistes and invited artistes left the audience captivated. The highlight of the session was a group dance presentation by members of Kathajodi Mahila Samiti, an all-women association.
All above the age of 55, these women for the first time after their marriage performed on a stage and left the audience mesmerized with their beautiful synchronization and space management. Their devotional presentation drew thunderous applause.
Guests for the session included Santosh Kumar Hota, Additional District Education Officer of Jajpur district Sabita Sahoo, and civil engineer and social activist Satyajit Dalai.
The festival’s evening session also got off to a fine start with the auspicious lighting the lamp ceremony by the distinguished guests including Odissi dance guru Padma Shri Kum Kum Mohanty, additional director, OSEPA, Mr Krushna Charan Nayak, advisor Mr Santosh Kumar Hota, social worker Mr Jibendu Maharana, chief editor of ‘Ananta Nirjhara’ Mr Krushna Chandra Panda, additional district education officer of Jajpur district Mrs Sabita Sahoo and writer Mrs Tanmayee Panda.
While the trust’s chairperson eminent litterateur Mrs Sarojini Mishra presided over the meeting, the trust’s founder-cum-secretary Guru Smt Sucheesmita Das delivered the welcome address, describing the festival as a vital platform for nurturing emerging artistes.
The felicitation ceremony followed next. While Pandit Harmohan Khuntia was honoured with ‘Nrutyang Samarth Biraja Prasad Samman’, Odissi exponent Mrs Meera Das, young and talented Odissi dancer Guru Mr Gourishankar Dash, noted Mardala player Guru Mr Gouranga Charan Mahala, young Mardala player Mr Tarini Prasad Das received ‘3rd Nrutyang Samarth Nrutyashree Samman’, ‘3rd Nrutyang Samarth Nrutya Gourav Samman’, ‘3rd Nrutyang Samarth Kala Prativa Samman’, and ‘3rd Nrutyang Samarth Yuva Prativa Samman’ respectively.
The cultural evening opened with an orchestra titled ‘Badya Bichitra’, a group Mardala recital by Guru Mr Gouranga Charan Mahala’s disciples, led by the maestro himself.
This was followed by ‘Mangalacharan’ by Guru Sucheesmita Das, offering salutation to the God, to the guru and to the audience.
Next, the art lovers were treated to a duet Odissi recital ‘Mohana Pallavi’ by Rajashree Rout and Silpashree Samal. With their excellent expressions, neat presentation, they instantly cast a spell on the audience.
The fourth item of the evening was an abhinaya ‘Kaibarta Prasanga’ by Guru Gourishankar Dash. With his excellent abhinaya skills, he narrated the episode from the Ramayana, leaving the art lovers glued to their seats. The following item was an abhinaya by Mrs Meghana Mohanty and her disciple. Both the dancers had the audience in their thrall with their dancing skills.
The spotlight was then shifted to a solo Odissi recital by Guru Sucheesmita Das, who presented ‘Ki Sobha Go Kunje’, set to Raga Ananda Bhairavi and Tala Talamalika, choreographed by her guru Vidushi Kum Kum Mohanty. She successfully demonstrated the nuances of feelings of joyful mood of sakhis who are delighted after watching Radha and Krishna in Kunjabana. The presentation was appreciated by the art lovers who gave it a heartfelt applause.
Adding variety to the evening, Kathak dancer Smt Sangeeta Sahoo came onto the stage and presented a solo recital. She enthralled the audience with her energetic footwork and perfect pirouettes.
The next item was a group Odissi dance recital ‘Krishna Leela’, presented by the artistes of the host institution. Playful episodes of Krishna’s childhood were beautifully narrated on the stage. The presentation was a visual delight.
The evening concluded on a high note with a lively and vibrant folk dance, presented by the students of the host institution.
On this occasion, the winners of the earlier held talent hunt and the judges Dipankar Nayak and Anusuya Barik were felicitated.
The members of Mahamaya Group and Guru Smt. Sucheesmita Dash’s senior disciples-Rajashree Rout, Santhoshi Rout, Jyoti Pradhan, Arpita Samantaray, Sarita Jena, Kalyani Nayak and Silpashree Samal- played a key role in ensuring the smooth conduct of the festival.
The evening was deftly anchored by Er (Dr) Srinivas Ghatuary.
Notably, Guru Sucheesmita Das began her Odissi journey at the age of eight and trained under several renowned gurus before receiving advanced guidance from Padma Shri Guru Kum Kum Mohanty. She has performed at prestigious festivals across India and abroad, including the Lumbini Festival (Hyderabad), Mukteswar Dance Festival (Bhubaneswar), Balasore Mahotsav and National Kharvel Mahotsav. A recipient of the National Scholarship, she has been honoured with several accolades including the National Kala Ratna Award. Her unwavering dedication to Odissi led to the establishment of the Nrutyang Foundation Trust, an institution devoted to grooming young talent with discipline, patience and artistic integrity.
Over the years, her disciples have brought laurels to the institution through performances and competition victories.
Photo courtesy: Soulful Odisha
