Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Sept 6: Kerala’s classical dance form Mohiniyattam, performed with aplomb by eminent classical danseuse Mandakini Trivedi, enthralled a capacity crowd at Rabindra Mandap on the second day of the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival in the city Sunday.
Mohiniyattam is one of the eight Indian classical dance forms, and is a graceful dance meant to be performed as solo recitals by women dancers.
Mandakini, trained in the art by her master Kanak Rele, has stamped her authority on the dance form and has become a staple performer at Mohiniyattam dance shows across the country.
Guru Satchidananda Das followed up Mandakini’s act with a mardala performance, to wide acclaim from the audience.
The auditorium overflowed with applause, with the audience thoroughly enjoying the performances by the maestros. The award ceremony was inaugurated September 5.
On the inaugural day, Sharmila Biswas, a disciple of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, performed Raag Madhuri, a long narrative of Raagas, taal and their qualities.
The dance form was followed by Pasyati Dishi Dishi set to Rag Des and Tal Ektali from Jayadev’s Gita Govinda depicting Radha as the Kalahantarita Nayika who spurned Krishna despite her longing for him, due to her vanity.
Later, vocalist Pandit OS Arun performed Carnatic classical. He sang songs like Swagatam Krishna Saranagatam, and Krishna Nee Begane Baro.
Ashok Kumar Tripathy, Board of Revenue member, requested the tourism ministry to recognise Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival as similar to the Konark festival and other famous dance festivals in the state.
“It felt great to be a part of the audience. Mandakini’s dance was exquisite and so was Guru Satchidananda’s performance,” said Soumya, a visitor.
