BHUBANESWAR: Moving towards excellence and inspired by the genius of legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, a collaboration between Srjan- Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Nrityabasa and Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre, dance and musical programme Antardrishti was held at Rabindra Mandap here Tuesday to commemorate Guruji’s 93rd birth anniversary.
This year, Antardrishti was a beautiful amalgamation of dance and music, featuring four Odissi recitals and a musical fusion to conclude the evening. The programme commenced with an Odissi recital by Sushree Riddhi Bhattacharya, who presented Jaya Mahesha, a prayer to Lord Shiva. A disciple of Sri Ratikant Mohapatra, Riddhi is a bright young talent and one of the future faces of Odissi dance in her generation.
Her rigourous training at Srjan from a young age was shown forth in her presentation of Jaya Mahesha, with crisp movements and good stage presence. Invoking the power and divine strength of Lord Shiva, this dance piece was set to the choreography of Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, to Raag- Ragamalika and Taal- Talamalika.
This was followed by the presentation of Arabi Pallavi, set to Raag Aarabi and Ekatali, a pure dance presentation, choreographed by the legendary maestro Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and set to the music composition of Bhubaneswar Mishra. The dancer Sushree Bharati Mishra, a very promising and talented disciple of Leena Nanda, is committed to excellence, after moving to Odisha to train at the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre. She presented this fine composition of Guruji, with technical prowess and a deep understanding of the accompanying music and rhythm.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of a Ram Bhajan- Ramachandra Krupalu Bhajamana, composed by Saint Tulsidas. Rajashri Praharaj, a disciple of Sri Ratikant Mohapatra, is an established soloist and recipient of Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar of Central Sangeet Natak Akademi, known for her technical virtuosity and captivating stage presence.
Set to the choreography of her Guru, Sri Ratikant Mohapatra and the beautiful music composition of Sri Pradeep Kumar Das in Raagamalika and Talamalika, her nuanced depiction of the various facets of Lord Rama in this devotional presentation epitomized grace and poise- the essence of the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra gharana of Odissi.
The final solo presentation of the evening was by Smt. Meera Das. A senior disciple of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, she presented an Ashtapadi, from poet Jayadeva’s Geeta Govinda- Sakhi he Keshi Mathana Mudaram, a classic choreography by Guruji, to Pt. Bhubaneswar Mishra’s soulful music composition.
The programme concluded with a scintillating musical jugalbandi of flute and violin by Agnimitra Behera and Srinibas Satapathy, two of the most prominent and reputed classical musicians of Odisha. Accompanied by Sri Nanda on the Tabla and Sri Vaibhav on percussion, their soulful rendition coupled with the seamless rhythmic variations, made this an enthralling presentation.
Aided by the brilliant light design by Sri Debiprasad Mishra, the evening was inaugurated with the lighting of the lamp by Ratikant Mohapatra, Director, Srjan, Sangita Gosain, Chief Executive, GKCM Odissi Research Centre and distinguished guests. Respected members of members of the art community, dancers, and critics joined the occasion to pay homage to Guruji, on his 93rd birth anniversary. Antardrishti was a befitting tribute to Guruji, as thousands of his disciples and admirers gathered all around the world to celebrate and carry forward his priceless legacy.
