Bhubaneswar: The stage is set as Nritya Prajna Public Charitable Trust, a Cuttack-based institution dedicated to propagating Odissi dance and music, is gearing up to host its first Nritya Prajna Utsav at Bhanjakala Mandap in Bhubaneswar on July 19.
The festival promises to be a feast for the eyes and soul, featuring solo and group Odissi recitals by a vibrant mix of junior and senior dancers who are ready to set the stage on fire.
While Lucky Prajna Pratisthita Mohanty, the driving force behind the Trust, along with Smt Suhag Nalini Das, Bipanchi Das, and Preetisha Mohapatra, will mesmerise audiences with solo performances, the dancers from the host institution and Bidya Institute will add colour to the evening with group recitals.
Having learned Odissi dance under the watchful eyes of Padma Shri Kumkum Mohanty at Kala Vikash Kendra, Lucky Mohanty has left no stone unturned in honing his skills, blossoming into an accomplished solo Odissi performer.
An ‘A’ grade artiste of Prasar Bharati, Lucky’s dance journey has taken him to different prestigious festivals like Konark Festival, Mukteswar Dance Festival, Lumbibi Festival, Chakradhar Samaroha and Khajuraho Dance Festival, leaving audiences in the USA, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Switzerland, and London spellbound.
Lucky’s dance journey has earned him accolades like the Odissi Yuva Gandharva Samman, Baishakhi Samman, Nrityabhushan, and Shreekshetra Nachuni Samman, to name a few.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Lucky established the Nritya Prajna Public Charitable Trust to carry forward the torch of Odissi dance and music to the younger generation.
Taking it a step further, Lucky has extended the reach of Odissi beyond boundaries by training orphans both within and outside the state, and even abroad, using online platforms, proving that when there’s a will, there’s a way.
As Nritya Prajna Utsav 2025 readies to roll out its red carpet, Bhubaneswar is set to witness a celebration of culture, dedication, and the timeless beauty of Odissi dance under one roof.
