Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 17: One would be forgiven for mistaking schoolchildren performing at a concert in the city Saturday evening for accomplished prodigies in Hindustani music. Such was the amazing prowess that the 24 students drawn from 12 schools in the city displayed at a ‘Hindustani Vocal Talent Search’ competition held at Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan.
Organised by Bhubaneswar Music Circle (BMC), one of the oldest cultural bodies in the state, the event was aimed at promoting Hindustani vocal among schoolchildren and groom potential talent.
“There are many young students who are eager to perform Hindustani vocal but don’t get the opportunity. This competition was meant to serve as a platform for such students to exhibit their talent,” said Khirod Patnaik, general secretary of BMC.
Each student was given a 10-minute slot. At the end, judges declared Rohan Biswal as winner and SA Saimon and Ananya Sritam Nanda as runners-up.
“It was a very tough competition for me as all of the participants are masters at vocal. It is due to the grace of God and my hard work that put me in this place. I will continue to do ‘riyaaz’ (practice) so that I can grow as an artiste,” said Nanda, a Class VI student of DAV School, Pokhariput.
Doordarshan Orissa producer A Maheswar Rao, head of the department of tabla at Utkal University of Culture Sandip Rao and Guru Madhulita Parida were invited to judge the competitors. Dushmant Parida provided accompaniment on the tabla and Ajay Das on the harmonium.
“These students possess such delightfully genuine voices which are a pleasure to hear. They will certainly achieve a lot if they pursue their talent,” Sandip Rao said.
The three selected participants will be awarded in April.
BMC has been organising music/dance programmes every month throughout the year, every year, barring a few occasions. It sponsors music and dance programmes of Hindustani, Carnatic and Odissi schools. Artistes sponsored by BMC are mostly of national/international level and some of state-level. It also encourages young and upcoming artistes of the state by providing them exposure, essential for any aspiring artiste.