Bhubaneswar: The second evening of Srjan’s 29th OMC Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra (GKCM) Award Festival witnessed Kathak danseuse Shila Mehta and Hindustani Vocalist Jayateerth Mevundi mesmerise audience here at Rabindra Mandap, Wednesday.
In the first performance, Mehta, who was groomed in the Lucknow gharana by Pt Vijay Shankar and Pt Birju Maharaj, paid tribute to Lord Shiva through her graceful movements while her second presentation was about Kathak’s finest technical nuances in ‘Teentaal’, a pure dance sequence where the command over the Taal. An interaction between Lord Krishna and Arjun formed the theme of her third performance.
Speaking about the event, Mehta, the founder and director of Nupur Zankar Academy of Performing Arts and Research Centre (Mumbai), said that Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra not only inspired Odissi dancers, he also guided artistes of other dance forms to excel.
The next presentation was made by Hindustani vocalist Jayateerth Mevundi who spellbound the viewers with his Krishna Bhajans on the occasion of Janamashtami.
Talking about Jayateerth of Hubli-Dharward (Karnataka), the vocalist is known as a torchbearer of Kirana Gharana. The A Top graded artist at All India Radio was initiated into the realm of Hindustani music by Pt Anjunsa Nakod.
Luminaries present on the occasion included, ECoR General Manager Manoj Sharma, musician Laxmikanta Palit and Paradeep Phosphates Ltd Corporate affairs Head Sudhi Ranjan Mishra.
The third day of the festival will witness performances by Bharatnatyam dancer P Praveen Kumar and Sitarist Niladri Kumar.
PNN