The concluding day of the award fest was marked by the presentation of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award to eminent artistes for their contribution in the field of performing arts
BHUBANESWAR: In keeping with Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra’s heartfelt wishes, Srjan has been conducting the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival for the last 24 years. The 25th year celebration of the OMC Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival was a special occasion for Srjan, and to commemorate this, they hosted a seven-day festival in place of the annual five-day event.
The closing ceremony of this grand celebration began with the traditional lighting of the lamp by the esteemed guests, Ashok Kumar Tripathy, Former Member, Board of Revenue, and Manoranjan Panigrahi, Principal Secretary, Odia Language, Literature and Culture, along with Ratikant Mohapatra, Director, Srjan.
The NALCO Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award 2019 was presented to Guru Harmohan Khuntia, Tabla maestro, for his immense contribution to the field of music, to veteran Odissi dance Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, for his invaluable work to the field of dance, to eminent dance critics and authors Sunil Kothari and Leela Venkataraman for their lifetime achievements and contribution to performing arts and to renowned art photographer Avinash Pasricha, for his pioneering work in the field of photography.
In addition to the above, the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Prativa Samman was given to five exceptionally talented performing artistes under the age of 40 years in the field of classical dance and Odissi music. Its primary focus is to revive the all-important role of the solo dancer in the classical idiom, in an effort to instil a continuing sense of purpose in young dancers and bring to life individual brilliance that the dancer lives for and strives for.
This year it was presented to Swapnokalpa Dasgupta (Odissi Dance), Rahul Acharya (Odissi Dance), Rajashri Praharaj (Odissi Dance), Anwesa Mahanta (Sattriya Dance), and Sri Satyabrata Katha (Odissi Music).
Followed by the award ceremony, Srjan dance ensemble presented the production ‘Namami Gange’, an Ode to Mother Ganga, choreographed by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, scripted by Pandit Nityananda Mishra, and set to Lakshmikant Palit’s music. ‘Namami Gange’ is the story of the descent of mother Ganga from the locks of Lord Shiva. Beginning with an invocation to Ganga, the story of the river starts with the Ashwamedha Yagna of King Sagara. It moves on to cover its journey from the Himalayan peaks, through the hills of Gomukh, travelling across the Gangetic plains, and finally into the Bay of Bengal.
Odisha Mining Corporation was the title sponsor of the event. The award sponsor of the event was National Aluminium Company. Orissa Post and Dharitri were the media sponsors.
