stellar performances in dance and music in the fourth evening

26^th OMC Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival

Bhubaneswar(Kalinga Voice): Srjan hosted the third evening of the 26^th OMC Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival 2020 on September 7^th. The evening proved to be a visual and auditory delight to audiences who witnessed stellar performances in both dance and music, with Gauri Diwakar’s memorable Kathak performance, in which she was accompanied by the harmonious Samiullah Khan on vocals and Yogesh Gangani on the Tabla, followed by Abhishek Raghuram’s soulful and effortless Carnatic vocal recital. In keeping with the format followed throughout the festival, the fourth evening on September 8^th started with a classical dance performance with Purvadhanashree presenting Vilasini Natyam, followed by a classical music recital with Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya on the Santoor.

In her presentation, Purvadhanashree began with a Choornika in Raga Arabhi followed by a Jatiswaram in Raga Kalyani and Adi Talam. In her second performance for the evening, she performed the Kriti, Kreedati Vanamali, eulogising the various names of Lord Krishna. Composed by 18^th century poet Sadashiva Brahmendra, this presentation was set to Surutti Raga and Adi Talam. Purvadhanashree then concluded with two Ashtapadis from poet Shri Jayadeva’s Geeta Govinda. In the first Ashtapadi, Radhika Tava Virahe, the sakhi describes to Lord Krishna the anguish of Radha, who is separated from him, and in Pravesha Radhe, the sakhi cajoles a hesitant Radha to meet her beloved Lord at his house, where he awaits her.

While Radhika Tava Virahe was set to Ragam Vaasanthi, Chatusra Ekam, Pravesha Radhe was in Ragam Kosalam and Khanda Chapu. This was set to the music composition of Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna with a flute and musical interlude by Shri G. Raghuraman. Purvadhanashree was accompanied by K. Venkateshwaran, Chander Rao, and Sudha Raghuraman on vocals, R. Sriganesh and V. Sreedharacharya on the Mridangam, V. Sreedharacharya on the Kanjira, G. Raghuraman and Venkatesh on the flute, Shiva on the violin, Prafulla Mangaraj on the Pakhawaj, and Purvadhanashree, Raghunandan, and Sudha Raghuraman on the Nattuvangam. Purvadhanashree’s technical prowess and depth of abhinaya shone forth in her presentation, making it an inspirational opening performance on the fourth evening.

Srjan then hosted the recital of Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya, the Santoor maestro, who is credited with revolutionizing the Santoor and its style of play by broadening its utility in various traditional art forms. He presented Raga Bageshri, exploring the various strains of the Raga, interwoven with the harmonious rhythm accompaniment by Shri Hindol Majumdar on the Tabla. Known for his expertise in promoting the classicism of the Santoor with a modern approach and creating new Ragas in Hindustani music, Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya’s mesmerizing recital was a testament to his years of experience and professional excellence. Maya Krishnamurty, member of Srjan Ensemble was the emcee of the 2^nd evening of the festival.

The penultimate evening of the 26^th OMC Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival thus presented yet another classical delight to audiences across India and abroad, who joined Srjan virtually in their celebration of Art. On the final evening, Srjan will conduct the award ceremony, with His Excellency Hon’ble Governor of Odisha Prof. Ganeshi Lal presenting the coveted Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award 2020 to Shri Raj Gopal Mishra, veteran cinematographer for his invaluable contribution and lifetime achievements to the world of Odia Cinema, and the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Pratibha Samman 2020 to Pravat Kumar Swain for Odissi dance and to Himansu Sekhar Swain for Odissi music acknowledging their dedication to their art forms.

The finale features a much-awaited presentation by the Srjan ensemble. This year, Srjan will present Anweshanaa—A bouquet of neo-classical choreographs in Odissi dance, conceptualized and choreographed by Shri Ratikant Mohapatra. Beginning with an invocation to Lord Rama, Antara Rama, Anweshanaa the explores the intricacies of neo-classical Odissi compositions with dances such as Tarana, and Rase Harim Eha. These presentations are followed by an obeisance to Lord Rama, with Sant Tulsidas’ bhajan, Shri Ramachandra Krupalu Bhajamana and conclude with the premiere of Chandrachooda Shiva Shankara, in veneration to Lord Shiva.

The entire festival (a five day-celebration from September 5^th to 9^th) has been curated and designed by Shri Ratikant Mohapatra, with the program execution by Debiprasad Mishra.