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rural ambience
Bhubaneswar, Jan 8: Visitors to the Sisir Saras, which is being organised at Exhibition Ground in the city, were charmed by troupes performing Odissi and Kathak Thursday. Performed in the background of a rural ambience, the two shows that included seven performances proved to be an enjoyable pastime for youngsters visiting the mela.
Odissi Nrutya group from Cuttack started with a performance eulogising Lord Jagannath. Choreographed by Ashish Kumar Das, an Odissi dancer, the routine saw seven artistes offering prayers to the Lord through their dance. It was followed by another routine that depicted Krishna’s childhood and his mischievous pranks with his mother Yashoda.
Played out on lyrics composed by Bhakt Kavi Surdas – ‘Nandkrishna Chup Ke Maakhan Khai’ – the dance was performed to wide applause. The Cuttack group ended with another performance: a eulogy on the goddess Maa Durga.
Another group, led by Krishnendu of Kolkata, delivered four other Kathak performances. The group started with Shiv Vandana, a tandav nrutya, which depicted Shiva’s furious anger destroying life on earth. Their next routine was a charming depiction of Krishna’s ‘leela’.
The group’s third routine was an interesting performance called Tarana performed by four women dancers and one male dancer. It was set to teen taal and Raag Basant Bahar. The routine followed a format where a question was posed through the sitar while the answer was given through the tabla.
The group from Lucknow Gharana presented their fourth performance, known in Kathak as ‘Bandish’. Based on an old folk lyric, Garje Garje Chalke Chalke Barish, the dance saw group leader Krishnendu imitating the dance of the peacock, buzzing of winds, rustling of leaves and the glory of nature during rain.
The jugalbandi between sitar and tabla was given able accompaniment by the dancer’s ‘ghungroo’ as well.