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Bhubaneswar: Srjan – Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Nrityabasa organised “Upasaranam: Moving towards Excellence”, an evening of Odissi dance at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar, Saturday. The programme was organised to showcase Srjan’s budding talent on a major platform.
The evening witnessed many exquisite dance presentations, originally choreographed by legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and Ratikant Mohapatra, which were set to group compositions by senior members of Srjan.
Upasaranam commenced with the traditional invocatory item, “Mangalacharan”, with the young artistes paying obeisance to Lord Jagannath and then performing a Vishnu Vandana accompanied by the shloka, ‘Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam’ from the Vishnu Sahasranamam. The dance was choreographed by Pragna Parimita Das and presented by Amrita, Anisha, Anshita, Bhabna, Gul, Himakshi, Ipsita, Monali, Ritika, Shree, Shubhashree, Shubhra, Shreya and Swikruti, who beautifully portrayed Lord Vishnu’s grandeur.
The second performance of the evening was Guru Vandana, a salutation to the guru, performed by the youngest dancers of Srjan – Abhisikta, Akankshya, Anwesha, Ashmita, Cariline, Chinmayee, Dishita, Sagun, Saishree, Sai Shreya, Sushree and Swati. The dance was choreographed by Riyanka Chakrabarty.
After this delightful performance, the a technical dance, Batu, was presented with meticulous footwork and precision by Akankhya, Amrita, Anushka, Anwesha, Bhabyaa, Bibhinnita, Dipranwita, Maitri, Manyata, Nandini, Pratikshya, Riya and Somalin. The dance was choreographed by Sujata Pradhan.
The only solo presentation of the evening was Bhagavati Stotram, portraying the power and grandeur of Goddess Durga, choreographed by Ratikant Mohapatra and set to the music composed by Satyabrata Katha.
Shivangi Panigrahi, granddaughter of the timeless legend Sanjukta Panigrahi, attired in a red saree, presented this dance with poise and maturity.
As the evening progressed, so did the intricacies of the dance presentations. The next performance was a Pallavi, set to Raag Mohana and Triputa Taal, presented by Angelina, Ansita, Mehek, Mihika, Priti Pragyan, Sarmistha, Shilpa, Sruti Joshna, Sushree Sangita, Swostideepa. The dance was choreographed by Ritu Sengupta.
The finale ‘Bho Shambho’ was an energetic and delightful blend of music and choreography. Trained by Rajshri Praharaj, dancers Dibyashree, Prajakta, Prerna, Reebdhita, Subhashree, Tanushree and Tuhin presented Bho Shambho with élan, presenting a befitting end to the evening.
Under the guidance and supervision of Guru Ratikanta Mohapatra and the programme executive and light designer Debi Prasad Mishra, Upasaranam lived up to its name of being a professional Odissi presentation by Srjan’s promising dancers.
The evening’s programme was inaugurated by Pranati Mohanty, Ileana Citaristi and Bijay Kumar Jena.