Bhubaneswar: As the sun dipped below the capital city’s horizon on October 11 evening, the Utkal Rangamanch auditorium at the GKCM Odissi Research Centre here came alive with the rhythm and grandeur of Odissi as Nrutyakala Dance Academy hosted its 8th edition of “Padadhwani”, a dance festival.
Established 17 years ago by Odissi dancer Guru Dr Smt Jyotirmayee Supakar, Nrutyakala Dance Academy has gone from strength to strength and has carved out a niche for itself among the city’s prestigious classical dance institutions.
If the institution is flourishing it is because of Guru Supakar’s unwavering dedication and commitment to grooming the future generation of dancers while ensuring that the rich grammar and tradition of the art form remain intact.
A distinguished disciple of Prof.Guru Naba Kishore Mishra, Guru Supakar has earned a recognition for her profound artistry and professional excellence.
Since last eight years, the festival is being organized under her personal care and supervision which is visible in every aspect of the festival. Over the past eight years, Guru Supakar has nurtured Padadhwani festival with personal care and meticulous supervision, leaving no stone unturned to make each edition a memorable celebration of the classical dance form.
This year, the festival unfolded in two sessions, afternoon session and evening session. While afternoon session was designed to serve as a platform for artistes from different parts of the state to showcase their talents, the evening session was the highlight of the festival with a felicitation ceremony followed by a series of captivating performances by the award recipients.
Esteemed guests including MLA Ananta Narayan Jena, SNA awardee Mardala exponent Guru Dhaneswar Swain, Guru Smt Minakshi Behera, Guru Niranjan Rout, vocalist Guru Nimakanta Routray, classical dancer Guru Dibyaranjan Pattanayak and Sri Sri University Asst Professor Guru Tarnini Prasad Das inaugurated the festival by light the auspicious lamp. Guru Supakar and Santosh Kumar Mohapatra were on the dais.
The inauguration ceremony was followed by felicitation ceremony, which recognised the contributions of accomplished gurus and emerging artistes.
Eminent Odissi dancer Guru Dr Dipti Routraty was awarded with ‘Padadhwani Gurushree Samman 2026”, while Guru Subhendu Kumar Dash, Biswabhusan Champtiray and Sanjana Gouda, Guru Dipsi Pattanayak, Jagatjit Das and Sasmita Behera received “Padadhwani Nrutya Guru Samman”. Along with, Sushree Sarmistha Mohapatra, daughter and disciple of Guru Dr Smt Jyotirmayee Supakar, was also honoured with ‘Padadhwani Yuva Nrutya Shilpi Samman”. She later took everyone by surprise with her captivating performance.
The guests wished continued success for the festival and lauded Guru Supakar for her unwavering dedication and commitment to preserving and promoting Odissi.
The cultural evening got off to a fine start with Guru Dr Dipti Routray commencing her recital with ‘Jagannath Swami Nayanpatha Gaami’, a ‘Mangalacharan’, followed by an abhinaya ‘Tara Chhai Ki Chhabi Ki’, choreographed by Padma Shri Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, music composed by Guru Pradeep Ray and ruhthm by Guru Dhaneswar Swain.
Known for her graceful presentation, Dr Routray brilliantly portrayed how Radha describes the physical charm, playful manners and divine aura of Nanda Kumara, Lord Krishna. The presentation marked by precision, clarity and expressive depth set the mood for the performances that followed.
The second performer of the evening was a due ‘Sada Ripu’, performed by Jagatjit Das and Sasmita Behera.
The piece delved into the six negative human traits (Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and Matsarya). The duo brought these complex emotions to life through expressive movements and carefully crafted sequences, holding the audience spellbound.
The spotlight then fell on Sushree Sarmistha Mohapatra, who presented ‘Ardhanariswara’, choreographed by Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, music composed by Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi and direction by her mother and mentor Guru Supakar.
For a Class IX student, portraying the philosophical and artistic complexity of Ardhanariswara—the union of Shiva and Shakti—was no mean feat. The composition demands a delicate balance between the vigorous tandava and the graceful lasya movements. But the way Sarmistha crafted the poses from the very beginning with remarkable poise, control and an instinctive grasp of the form, made the presentation a feast for eyes, earning her generous applause.
This reviewer can say emphatically that she can be passed off as one of the best Odissi dancers of her time and has a bright future ahead.
Guru Dipsi Pattanayak was the next performer. She presented ‘Kahalo Duti’, an Odia abhinaya, choreographed by Guru Dr Pitambar Biswal with music and rhythm composed by Satyabrata Katha. The piece depicted Radha confiding in her sakhi and seeking news of Krishna’s whereabouts.
Through nuanced expressions and fluid body movements, Pattanayak brought out Radha’s longing and emotional turmoil with sensitivity, drawing the audience into the heart of the narrative.
The following performer was Guru Subhendu Kumar Dash. He presented ‘Shrikhandi’, choreographed by Guru Smt Puspita Mishra, penned by Smt Renuka Acharya, music composed Guru Sukanta Kundu and rhythm by Guru Dhaneswar Swain. the composition explored the complex character from the Mahabharata whose role proved instrumental in Bhishma’s downfall.
With expressive abhinaya, controlled movements and commanding stage presence, His portrayal captured the dramatic weight of the character, striking a chord with the connoisseurs and drawing a resounding round of applause.
The penultimate item was a duet Odissi recital ‘Dasha Mahavidya”, performed by young but talented dancers Biswabhushan Champatiray and Sanjana Gouda.
Choreographed by Guru Niranjan Rout, music composed by Guru Pandit Ramhari Das and rhythm by Guru Dhaneswar Swain, the piece explored the attributes of four of the ten Tantric goddesses: Maa Bagalamukhi, Maa Matangi, Maa Bhairavi and Maa Chhinnamasta. The artiste duo had the art lovers captivated with their sculptural poses.
Their performance brought together devotional fervour and artistic brilliance, leaving a lasting impression.
The curtain came down on the festival with a group Odissi presentation by ten artistes of Suravi, an Odissi dance institution.
They presented ‘Sthayee’, originally choreographed by legendary Guru Debaprasad Das, re-directed by Guru Dr Pitambar Biswal. With synchronized body movements, they brought the festival to a fitting end, leaving the audience yearning for more.
Sushree Sharmistha Mohapatra served as the emcee of the evening, while Guru Supakar oversaw the proceedings.
Guru Supakar and Santosh Kumar Mohapatra proposed the vote of thanks.
This year’s edition was more than just a dance festival, it served as a bridge between generations—a platform where seasoned gurus were honoured, young talent found its voice, and Odisha’s rich cultural heritage continued to flourish.
