The inaugural evening of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival was marked by a stellar performance of music maestro Anup Jalota
BHUBANESWAR: The inaugural evening of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival commenced with an enchanting programme replete with soulful performances of eminent artistes at Rabindra Mandap here Thursday.
The evening began with the auspicious lighting of the lamp by eminent dignitaries, Debi Prasad Mishra, MLA, Baramba, Anup Jalota, Bhajan Samrat, Praveena Kala, Chief General Manager, SBI, Pankaj Lochan Mohanty, chairman, MGM Group and Ratikant Mohapatra, director, Srjan.
In keeping with Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra’s heartfelt wishes, Srjan has been conducting the programme for the last 24 years. After his passing in 2004, this event has assumed special meaning for all of his students and all those whom he has touched worldwide.
The Award Festival has always been organised with the aim of giving the Odisha audience an exposure to classical fare of the highest level, presenting stellar performances by classical artistes whom they have not had the opportunity to witness. To commemorate the 25th year celebration of the GKCM Award Festival, Srjan organised a seven-day festival in place of the annual five-day event.
The highlight of the evening was the performance by celebrated Bhajan singer, Anup Jalota, popularly known as the Bhajan Samrat. Jalota, with his evergreen voice and captivating presence, commenced his recital with an invocation. He dedicated this evening of music to the legendary Odissi Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and as a tribute to Guruji’s immense contribution to the classical Arts, each rendition was based on a classical Raag.
Among his notable songs were the celebrated song ‘Aisi Lagi Lagan’, set to Raag Kirvani and ‘Jag Mein Sundar Hain Do Naam’ set to Raag Gurjari Todi. Bringing in a strong classical touch to his evening’s repertoire, ‘Anup Jalota’ was ably accompanied by Sushree Koyel Tripathy on the vocals, Rashid Khan on the Violin, Pradeep Ghosh on the Tabla and Himanshu Tiwari on Guitar. His recital highlighted his melodious yet powerful voice, with an incredible range, leaving the audience enthralled.
This befitting opening was followed by the Odissi dance group presentation of Gunjan Dance Academy, Cuttack, led by renowned Odissi exponent and disciple of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Meera Das. Gunjan presented two dance pieces, ‘Moods of Rhythm’ and ‘Dashavatar.’
In Taala Roopa, or the Moods of Rhythm, Gunjan presented a pure dance, exploring styles and patterns of the ‘Odissi Mardala’ and creating many moods out of these, and celebrating the idea of romance through rhythm. Conceptualised and choreographed by Meera Das, the music and rhythm composition for this presentation is by Dhaneswar Swain. In their second presentation, Dashavatar, while the dance was originally choreographed by legendary maestro Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Meera Das adapted it to a group presentation while keeping the original composition intact. It was an apt conclusion to the inaugural evening’s performances.
In the days to come, Srjan has curated the festival with a range of music recitals featuring world renowned artistes, with a special evening highlighting Odissi music. Furthermore, to honour and pay tribute to Guruji’s lifelong passion of Odissi dance, all dance performances over this seven-day award festival are group presentations by established and well-known Odissi dance institutions of Odisha.
The festival will also feature a special solo recital by Niharika Mohanty, senior disciple of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Odissi exponent and founder-director of Guru Shradha, California, USA. On the concluding evening, Srjan’s very own repertory will perform a special choreographic production, ‘Namami Gange’ after the presentation of the coveted NALCO Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award and the NALCO Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Prativa Samman. The programme was compared by Srinivas Ghatuari.