post news network, Bhubaneswar, April 8: On the eleventh death anniversary of the noted Odissi dancer, Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Art Vision, a dance institute formed by IIeana Citaristi one of the most capable among all the disciples of the revered Guruji, performed a dance drama ‘Manabhanjana’ where 12 dancers depicted the eternal love of Radha Krishna, here at Rabindra Mandap.
The programme was inaugurated by Ashok Panda, minister of tourism and culture, government of Orissa and noted writer Manoj Das.
Saswat Joshi, Odissi dancer said, “Today we are remembering Guruji and paying a tribute to him in the form of a dance drama which he used to perform in his own style. Art Vision has been celebrating the day for the last 10 years and every year we try to present a choreography (created) by Guru Kelucharan. This year it is unique because all the senior disciples of the Guruji, along with the young students performed in the dance drama.”
“Guruji used to perform Manabhanjana in the rasalila form when he was with Mohan Sundar Dev Goswami and he used to play the role of Krishna. I have taken the same text and composed it in Odissi dance form, as a tribute to Guruji on his 11th death anniversary”, said Ileana Citaristi.
Speaking about her autobiography, ‘My Journey, a Tale of Two Birds’, which was released during the programme by the noted writer Manoj Das, she said , “The book is about my life before coming to India and then settling in India. It is about two different lives that I have seen and that is why I called it a tale of two birds. You will also find about my connection with Odissi dance and how Guruji motivated me”.
