OdishaPlus Bureau
Antardrishti – 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 was held at Rabindra Mandap,to commemorate the 94th birth anniversary of the Guruji.
A tribute to the legendary dance maestro, the program featured an amalgam of traditional dance presentations from the Odissi repertoire performed by the solo dancers as choreographed by Guruji himself, and compositions in the neoclassical style by Ratikant Mohapatra presented by the Srjan ensemble. The program commenced with an invocatory group presentation by the Srjan ensemble, titled Antara Rama. This dance presentation, choreographed by Ratikant Mohapatra, was a befitting inaugural piece.
This was followed by an Ashtapadi, Dheera Sameere by reputed Odissi exponent Leena Nanda. Choreographed by the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, and set to the music composition of Pt. Bhubaneswar Mishra, in the Ashtapadi, Dheera Sameere from 12th-century poet, Jayadeva’s Geeta Govinda, the Sakhi entreats Radha to join Krishna, who is waiting for her on the banks of the Yamuna. Leena Nanda delved into the nuances of this abhinaya, with deep understanding and emotion, highlighting her years of experience.
The third presentation for the evening was a pure dance piece, Kirvani Pallavi, presented by Sushree Shivangi Panigrahi, student of Srjan and the granddaughter of legendary doyen, Sanjukta Panigrahi. Tastefully attired, Sushree Shivangi Panigrahi presented this timeless dance composition, known for its unique movements and rhythmic patterns with neat execution and commendable footwork.
Following this was an Odia Abhinaya, Braja Ku Choro, presented by eminent Odissi exponent and senior disciple of Guruji, Sikata Das. With decades of experience in the field, Das began her tryst with Odissi at a very young age and is known the world over for her evocative and moving performances across India and abroad.
The evening concluded with an energetic and perfectly synchronized rendition of a neoclassical dance presentation by the Srjan ensemble, titled Kirwani Madhurima. While it continues to have the distinct character of a traditional Odissi choreography, there are elements of contemporary dance expression which are used to heighten the appeal of novelty.
Choreographed by Ratikant Mohapatra to the mellifluous music composition of Dr. Vyzarsu Balasubrahmanyam, Kirwani Madhurima showcased the wonderful amalgam of the classical and the contemporary, with novel elements in both the music and the dance movements. The dancers Ritu Sengupta, Pragna Paramita Das, Riyanka Chakrabarty, Aishwariya Singhdev, Sipra Swain, Preetisha Mohapatra, Reebdhita Barua, and Maya Krishnamurty displayed skill and good synergy throughout. Antardrishti was a befitting tribute to Guruji, flawlessly organized with great attention to detail and professionalism by Ratikant Mohapatra, Director, Srjan.