Bhubaneswar: Young but talented Odisha’s own Odissi vocalist Sushree Sristi Swarupa Mishra was the first performer of the second cultural evening of ongoing five-day-long OMC Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar.
Mishra, a disciple of Guru Brajabandhu Ransingh and Guru Ramhari Das for over 13 years, commenced her recital with a Saraswati Vandana, in Raga Saraswati, setting the mood of the cultural evening.
This presentation was based on two interconnected Talaas Tripata (in seven beats) and Jhampa (in 10 beats).
She followed it up with Raganga Gayan, set to Raga Mukhari and Ekatali. In this prabandha written by Kabi Chandra Kalicharan Pattnaik, she illustrated gamakas distinct to Odissi music with intricate swara vinyasa and pada vinyasa.
She concluded her recital with a Chatustalaa Prabandha “Nahi Ke Karidela,” written by Kishor Kabi Shyam Sundar Das. A traditional and popular Odissi composition, based on four taalas namely, Adatali, Tripata, Ektali, Khemta/Jhula.
With her mellifluous voice, she kept the audience engaged, giving them little time to dose off in their seats.
She was Ably supported Guru Dhaneswar Swain on the Mardala and Guru Ramesh Chandra Das on the Violin.
An all India Radio (AIR) artiste, she is a three-time recipient of the prestigious Governor’s award.
Next eminent Bharatanatyam exponent Vidushi Geeta Chandran and her ensemble the Natya Vriksha Dance Collective took the stage.
Smt. Geeta Chandran has received the Padmashri and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. She is also a Tagore National Fellow. Through the work of the NVDC, she creates a new empowered vision of Bharatanatyam that resonates tradition but is inked with modernity, embracing new ideas that make sense for young audiences.
Living up to their reputation for crisp and professional group presentations, Natya Vriksha commenced their recital with Jai Bharat Alarippu, inspired by Bharatavarsha, our nation and culture.. In this composition, the traditional “Alarippu” re-imagined to reflect and celebrate the concept of unity in diversity. This was followed by Sakhi Swaram, built on a Kannada Jatiswaram composed by the late Bharatanayam Guru (Padmashri) Shri K.N. Dandayudhapani Pillai.
Then, Smt. Geeta Chandran presented a solo composition, Lavanyatwam, a tribute to Guru Shri Kelucharan Mohapatra. In this, Krisha Nee Begane Baro, she visits the line in three distinct and nuanced evocations, with the vatsalya, shringara, and bhakti rasas being emoted. Her decades of experience, expertise, and dedication to the Art were reflected in her beautiful exposition of these emotions on stage, in her captivating expressions, and technical virtuosity.
NVDC concluded their recital with Ritusamharam, a presentation of Saint Kalidasa’s Ritusamhara, reimagined and designed through the musical composition of great Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The dancers, Amrita Sruti, Radhika Kathal, Madhura Bhrushundhi, Srutta Gopalan, Sowmyalaxmi Narayanan, and Yushika Baid presented the compositions with crisp footwork, laudable energy, and impressive stage presence.
They were aided by the able technical design of Shri Milind Srivastav and sound engineering of Shri C. Anand Krishna.
The guests of the evening who joined the customary lighting the lamp ceremony were Shri Subodh Chandra Acharya, Chief Executive, GKCM Odissi Research Centre; Shri Sudhi Ranjan Mishra, Head, Corporate Affairs, Paradeep Phosphates Limited; Guru Smt. Aruna Mohanty, President, Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi; and Guru Dhaneswar Swain, eminent Mardala exponent.
By kalasanskruti
Photo courtesy: Srjan
