Bhubaneswar: The third evening of OMC Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival commenced with a Sattriya dance by Dr Anwesa Mahanta. A recipient of the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, she presented a Vandana. The music direction for this piece was by Hari Prasad Saikia.
Her next item was an abhinaya sequence representing the rich Natya vocabulary of the tradition, Rukmini Katha, inspired by Sankardeva’s play, Rukmini Harana. The music direction for this composition was by Prabhat Sarma, rhythm composed by Bayanacharya Ghanakanta Bora and Hari Prasad Saikia Barbayan and the dance directed by Bayanacharya Ghanakanta Bora. Her concluding presentation was a representation of the Purusha aspect of the tradition through the choreographic narrative of Markandeya Stuti. Set to the music direction of Prabhat Sarma and Hari Prasad Saikia Barbayan, and the rhythm composition of Hari Prasad Saikia Barbayan, Dr. Anwesa Mahanta’s Sattriya performance was inspiring and delightful for audiences. She was ably accompanied on the Khol and Cymbals by Hari Prasad Saikia Barbayan, on Vocals by Nityananda Deka and Hari Prasad Saikia Barbayan, on the Flute by Pradip Deka and on the Violin, Devajit Goswami.
In the second half of the evening, noted Hindustani vocalist Smt. Manjusha Patil took charge of the stage. With her soulful renditions, she mesmerised the audience. She commenced her recital with Raag Nand, presenting renditions of Dhundu Baare Saiyya in Vilambit Teen Taal and Ajahu Na Aye in Drut Teen Taal.
She then explored Raag Basant, presenting Kanha Ranagawaa Na Daro in Addha Teen Taal, and concluded her recital with the Marathi Abhang, Aga Vaikunthichya Raya. This Abhang was written by Sant Kanhopatra, and composed by Master Krishnarao. She was ably supported by Suyog Kundalkar on the Harmonium, Prashant Pandav on the Tabla, and Smt. Shirin Kelkar and Smt. Nupur Desai on the Tanpura.
Smt. Patil has carved a niche in the world of classical music with her mellifluous voice enhanced by her mastery of swaras, perfection of sur, and command of rhythmic aspects. Currently training under Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar, she has established a Gurukul in Sangali, Maharashtra under Sangeetacharya D. V. Kanebuva Pratishthan.
The evening was compered by Sushree Maya Krishnamurty, a member of the Srjan ensemble.
Photo courtesy: Srjan
