Bhubaneswar: Rajarani Music Festival, a festival of classical music, kick started on the sprawling lawn of the 11th Century AD famous Rajarani Temple here Monday.
The stage was set with the temple, an architectural marvel of Kalinga style, forming the backdrop.
The musical evening’s first performer was Bidushi Sudha Raghuraman, a great Carnatic singer. With Sidhivinayak Bandana, she started her recital. Next she presented two songs set to raga Hansadhwani and tala Aditala and raga Ragshree set to Aditala. She concluded her performance with Sivapanchakhyara. With her mellifluous voice, she took the rasikas on a journey to a different world.
Next came Rhythmscape (Indian Fusion Band), a band by maestro Bickram Ghosh. He presented ‘Shiva Tandav’, ‘Little Krishna’ followed by different Indian classical fusion which was played through Tabla, Hand Sonic, Body Drum and other percussions.
Both the performances left art connoisseurs immersed. Despite the chill in the atmosphere, they sat through the programmes.
Among the dignitaries who graced the inaugural evening were Tourism and Odia Language, Literature & Culture Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi; chief advisor to the Chief Minister, Odisha, R. Balakrishnan; principal secretary, Tourism, Vishal Kumar Dev; chairperson, OTDC, Shreemayee Mishra and director, Tourism Department, Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav.
The programme was anchored by Dr. Sangita Gosain and Anuja Tarini Mishra.
Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha organises this unique annual festival of classical music from 18th to 20th January.
By kalasanskruti
Photo courtesy: Odisha Tourism
