Bhubaneswar: The concluding evening of three-day long Rajarani Music Festival at the Rajarani Temple witnessed scintillating performances of Mardala vadan and Hindustani vocal by eminent Mardala player Guru Satchidananda Das & Group and internationally acclaimed vocalist Pt M. Venkatesh Kumar.
Evening’s first programme was Brunda Mardala Badana by Guru Satchidananda Das and his disciples who played Aditala of 16 beats producing different layakaris punctuated with bols or Ukutas with special use of traditional musical phases like khandi, gadi, arasa, mana, bhaunri mana, chhaka mana, jamana with different layakaris and chaturgati ragada and chhanda prakarana which produce special striking structure typical to Odissi Music.
In the second phase he presented Trital of 16-beats punctuated with typical musical renderings using uthana, elaboration of Dharana, Jati, Chakradar, Biram, Abiram, Lagana mana, Bira mana, Kaida, Sabdaswar pata, Rela etc having different layas and chhandas. The rhythm and the beats perfectly synchronized with the bols (rhythmic syllables) in conformity with different notations produced a melody that delighted the music lovers which filled the hearts of the audience with new excitements and emotions. The group was Guru assisted by Budhanath Swain, Dibakar Parida, Ramachandra Behera, Anup Das, Muralidhara Swain on Mardala, Guru Kulamani on Harmonium and Shri Srinibas Satapathy on Flute.
Evening’s second programme was Hindustani Vocal by Pandit M. Venkatesh Kumar. He chose raga Kalyan Bilambit as his first presentation followed by raga Durga Madhyalaya. He ended his recital with some remarkable bhajans. His programme was marked with step-by-step elaboration in Bilambita and Drutalaya giving scope for vocal embellishments, simpler and softer movement from one note to other. While executing intricate tans and sargams, their wide ranging mellifluous voice, combined with masterly command over the technique, translated their highest flight of imagination into sublime music. He was accompanied Keshab Joshi on Tabla and Satish Koli on harmonium.
The dignitaries who graced the concluding evening were Principal Secretary, Tourism, Vishal Kumar Dev; Joint Secretary, Tourism, Durga Prasad Mohapatra and Assistant Director, Tourism Dr. Ratikanta Pattanayak.
The programme was anchored by Dr. Sangita Gosain and Anuja Tarini Mishra. Officers/ Staffs from Tourism Department, OTDC and Sangita Nataka Academy were coordinating during the festival.
By kalasanskruti
Photo courtesy: Odisha Tourism
