post news network
Bhubaneswar, August 27: The inaugural day of the three-day classical dance programme ‘Barsha’, at Rabindra Mandap Saturday, offered a feast of Odissi compositions by the artistes of Srjan.
It is the 37th edition of the dance festival being organised by city-based cultural body Chinta O Chetana.
‘Vinayaka Smarane’, taken from Narada Purana, was the first presentation of the evening. The composition was an offering of prayers to Lord Ganesh through dance. The composition has been choreographed by Ratikant Mohapatra.
Rajashree Praharaj, who had presented a solo recital of ‘Sita Haran’ at another event in the city recently, presented a dance to the song ‘Sri Ramachandra Krupalu’ at ‘Barsha’. The composition was about Lord Rama saving Sita from Ravan.
Another presentation of the evening was ‘Viswas’ — a mixture of two songs picked up from Kabir Bani and Guru Bani.
The composition was in the form of a question-answer session between devotees and the Almighty. Here the dancers seek answers to the existence of God, the almighty responds to the seeking of the devotees. The dance was also choreographed by Ratikant. “Devotees seek god everywhere and are disappointed. But the Almighty responds and says he is everywhere. Devotees need to see me by faith,” Ratikant said.
A fusion of Southern classical music and Odissi dance titled ‘Bithali Smarane’ was another notable presentation.
On Sunday performances by artistes of Kaishiki Nrityabhasha, Mumbai have been lined up. The group will present ‘Crossing Oceans’ which is fusion of Odissi, Chhau, and contemporary dance based on Greek, Japanese and Australian aboriginal folklore.
On the concluding day, dancers Prachi Hota from Delhi, Dr Debi Banerjee and Professor Dr Puspita Mukherjee from Kolkata will present dances. Prachi and Puspita will present Odissi while Debi Banerjee will performs Kathak.
The event concludes August 29.
