Resurrecting Bharata’s Ancient Stage-Dr. Piyal Bhattacharya’s Chidakash Kalalay bring Marganatya“Saugandhikaharanam”to Life at GKCM Award Festival
Bhubaneswar, 7thSeptember2026 :The 32nd Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra (GKCM) Award Festival, organised by Srjan-Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Nrityabasa in collaboration with Sri Sri University (SSU), Cuttackreached a historical milestone on Day Three. Following memorable performances by Sarod maestro Pt. Tejendra Narayan Majumdar and Odissi exponent Smt. Lipsa Satapathy on Day Two, the five-day festival continued its heartfelt celebration of the classical Arts at Rabindra Mandap on its third evening with aMarganatyaperformance of Saugandhikaharanam, a choreographed play by Dr. Piyal Bhattacharya.
The proceedings began punctually at 7 pm with the traditional lighting of the lamp by esteemed dignitaries for the evening, Guru Smt. Aruna Mohanty, Eminent Odissi Exponent; Guru Smt. Kumkum Mohanty, Veteran Odissi Dancer; Guru Dhaneswar Swain, Celebrated Mardala Exponent; and Shri Prabodh Rath, Renowned Theatre Personality, alongside Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, Director, Srjan, and Dean, Faculty of Arts, Communication and Indic Studies, SSU.
The evening’s feature presentation marked Odisha’s first-ever experience of Marganatya – a revitalization of the ancient Marga tradition of Natya from Bharata Muni’s Natyashastra. Presented by Chidakash Kalalay-Centre of Art and Divinity, the audience witnessed the evocative Sanskrit play Saugandhikaharanam. The production was directed based on the Nata-Dharma Parampara by Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, Tagore National Scholar, and honouraryMahamahopadhyay Dr. Piyal Bhattacharya, renowned for reconstructing ancient instruments like the Vakra Veena and Sage Bharata’s Kutapa orchestra. It featured live music composed by Shri Sayak Mitra.
Saugandhikaharanam unfolded Bhima’s quest for the celestial Saugandhika flowers to fulfill Draupadi’s desire. As Bhīma’s unchecked strength disrupted the sacred Gandhamadana forest, Hanuman intervened as an aged monkey, humbling Bhima’s pride through wit, wisdom, and the manifestation of his awe-inspiring Vishwarupa. Blessed by Hanuman and permitted by Kubera, Bhima returned with Saugandhika flowers, albeit, as a transformed individual—having learned restraint, humility, and true strength.
The performance ensemble featured Sayak Mitra as Hanuman; Inderpal Singh as Bhima; Subhendu Ghosh as Kubera and a young monkey; Amrita Dutta as an Apsara and a young monkey; Nikhil Bora as Saugandhikapushpa; and Amrita Adhikary, Srijani Biswas, Moumita Dhar, and Smriti Majumder as Apsaras. They were supported by the Kutapaorchestra comprising Acharya Piyal Bhattacharya on Mizhavu (Percussion), Durba Sinha Roychowdhury as the Gayika (Vocalist), Koushik Das on the Maardangik or Mridangam (Percussion), Rick Mukherjee on SusheeraVadya (Flute), Avijit Ray on TatahaVadya (Dhrupadi Rabab), Khokan Das on the Pataha (Dholak), and Rudrarup Mukhopadhyaya as the Taal Dharaka.
The beautiful lighting for the performance was designed and executed by Shri Dinesh Poddar (Prakasha), with Shri Subhash Das assisting (Sahakari). The production is based on the 14th-century Rupaka by ShriVishwanathaKaviraja, with Hindi poetry (Kavita) by Shri Raj Bendre, under the overall direction of Acharya Piyal Bhattacharya.
The presentation stood out with its attention to detail, from the use of classical languages and symbolic stage props to the ancient Kutapa orchestra. The performers commanded the stage with charisma and presence, while deliveringnuanced portrayals of their respective characters. Chidakash Kalalay’s actor-centric performance transformed the stage of Rabindra Mandap, integratingnritta, geeta, vadya, and abhinayato offer the audience a unique sensory experience with a deep spiritual ethos.
The proceedings for the evening were conducted seamlessly by Dr. Mrutyunjaya Rath. The programme achieved technical brilliance through the expertise of the Chief Sound Engineer of the festival Shri C. Anand Krishna, while Shri Bharath Krishna managed sound engineering alongside graphic design. The overall creative light design and operation of the festival were executed with precision by Shri Debiprasad Mishra and Shri D. Dhilip Kumar.
On the fourth evening, the audience will be treated to a solo Bharatanatyam recital by acclaimed dancer Dr. Janaki Rangarajan, followed by an enchanting Flute Jugalbandi featuring Shri Abhiram Nanda and Shri Srinibas Satapathy, accompanied by Shri Yashwant Vaishnav on the Tabla. The program was designed under the vision and meticulous direction and administration of Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, with flawless programme execution every year by Shri Debiprasad Mishra.
