Bhubaneswar: Rithika Banerjee, disciple of Guru Dr Gajendra Panda and daughter of Rupam and Barnali Banerjee of Odisha’s steel city Rourkela, gave a two-hour long mancha pravesh solo presentation at Tridhara’s ‘Ekaika-solo Odissi dance festival’ at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar on April 11.
Maintaining the tradition, the programme started dot at 6.30 pm. The festival was inaugurated through lighting of the lamp by the esteemed guests including noted sculptor and founder of Sudarshan Craft Museum Sudarsan Sahoo, MLA of Bhubaneswar Central Ananta Naryan Jena, Chairman of World Odia Society Kishore Diwibedi, Dean-cum-Director General and Vice Chairman of Bhavan’s Center for Communication and Management S. K. Tamotia, Regional Director of ICCR Minakshi Mishra, Secretary of Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Prabodh Rath, Principal of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya Bijay Kumar Jena, eminent music director Laxmikanta Palit, Secretary of Ekamra Sanskrutika Prakashini Sanat Kumar Mishra, working president of Tridhara Simanchal Panda and director of Tridhara Guru Dr Gajendra Panda.
Rithika with folded hands and sporting a smile on her face entered the stage. After seeking blessings from the audience, she sought the blessings of the guests by touching their feet. In turn, all the guests showered tons of wishes on her. One thing common in their speeches was that they all want her to emerge as one of the top Odissi dancers of her generation.
MLA Prafulla Samal, who arrived late thanks to his busy schedule, sat through all the rest of the recitals. While extending his best wishes, Samal said Rithika has the makings of a promising Odissi dancer.
By the time, Rithika commenced her presentation, the auditorium had filled almost to its capacity.
Rithika presented five dance pieces, depicting the range of Odissi repertoire, ticking all the boxes of a successful presentation.
This reviewer finds her stage presence, eye movements, facial expressions, sculpturesque poses and body kinetic quite up to the mark.
The meticulous training imparted by Guru Gajendra Panda and her hard work in rehearsing the pieces, dedication and determination were clearly visible throughout the presentation.
Born in Rourkela, Rithika has been learning Odissi dance when she was just three years old. Her first guru was Anjana Panigrahi. For last three years, she has been learning the nuances of Odissi dance from Guru Dr Gajendra Panda.
She has performed at many prestigious festivals in India and abroad including Konark Festival in Konark, Puri and 5th International Dance and Music Festival in Nepal and won awards and accolades.
Bestowed with a fine-tuned physique and a pair of expressive eyes, Rithika can be passed off as one of the best dancers of this generation.
After the programme, this reviewer had a brief conversation with Rithika. While narrating how her journey started, she revealed it that her parents’ encouragement and her gurus’ confidence in her have been propelling her to march ahead. “In fact, my mother wanted to be an Odissi dancer. But due to some reasons, she couldn’t translate her dream into reality. So, she had always a desire to see me performing on stage. Now I am happy that I have been able to fulfill her wish,” said Rithika.
Rthika’s first presentation was Mangalacharana ‘Laxmi Nrusingha Dhyana’, an invocatory dance dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and God Nrushingha with Sabda Swara Pata set to Raga – Mangala Gurjari and Lalita and Tala – Ekatali and Jati, music composed by Guru Gopal Chandra Panda, rhythm composed by Guru Banamali Maharana, dance choreographed by Guru Debaprasad Das.
Her next item was Kirvani Pallavi set to Raga- Kirvani Tala – Malika, choreographed and directed by Guru Debaprasad Das and Guru Dr Gajendra Panda respectively.
The following item was an Odia Abhinya – ‘Manaudharana’ by Kabisamrat Upendra Bhanja set to Raga-Mishra Aaravi and Tala-Triputa, choreographed by Guru Debaprasad Das and directed by Guru Dr Gajendra Panda. The dramatic elements in this item left the art lovers, connoisseurs and common audience hooked to their seats.
Next, a documentary on Rithika was presented. It was directed by Sanjay Bhatt.
Rithika’s next item was Astapadi – ‘Yahi Madhava’ set to Raga – Bhairavi and Tala – Ektali, music composed by Guru Balakrushna Das, choreographed by Guru Debaprasad Das and directed by Guru Gajendra Panda.
Rithika’s last item was Mahalaxmi set to Raga-Malika and Tala-Malika, choreographed by Guru Gajendra Panda, music composed by Guru Satchidanand Das.
She was accompanied on vocal by Satyabrata Katha, on Mardala by Ramachandra Behera, on Sitar by Swapneswar Chakraborty, on flute by Jabahar Mishra.
Hosted by Tridhara, the festival was produced by Rupam Banerjee and Barnali Banerjee, coordinated by Rina Panda. The emcee of the evening was Er. Dr. Srinibas Ghatuary.
Kalasanskruti congratulates Rithika for presenting such captivating recitals and wishes for her future endeavours.
By kalasanskruti
Photo courtesy: Tridhara
