Strap: Her ‘Rangapravesha’ would mark a welcome trend of global artistes promoting the rich cultural heritage of the state
BHUBANESWAR: Srjan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Nrityabasa is all set to present the Rangapravesha of Wu Kan, from Shanghai, China March 24, 2019, at Utkal Rangamancha auditorium, GKCM Odissi Research Centre, Bhubaneswar.
A graduate in Computer Science, Wu Kan worked for over 10 years as a corporate executive at various international companies before she decided to leave from her company and fulfill her passion for Odissi.
Wu Kan received a scholarship from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in August 2015, and came to learn Odissi at Srjan, Bhubaneswar under the guidance of Guru Ratikant Mohapatra.
Her Rangapravesha would mark her first step as a soloist in her journey towards a promising future in this beautiful art form of the state. Her efforts in fulfilling her passion and the drive to learn and understand the rich culture and heritage of Odisha, while wishing to achieve a level of proficiency in this art form in a land so different in culture and tradition than hers have been commendable.
She wished to mark her departure from this country with a formal solo presentation, through her Rangapravesha, bringing all her efforts and of her Guru. This perseverance and her evolution as a dancer over the years have been very welcome at Srjan, where she has formed a sincere bond with all members of the Srjan family.
It is with great pleasure that Srjan will host her Rangapravesha on March 24, 2019. When Wu Kan returns to Shanghai, she wishes to devotedly carry forward the legacy of this wonderful art of Odissi in China.
On March 24th, Wu Kan presents the Margam of Odissi from Mangalacharan to Mokshya. She will commence her recital with Mangalacharan, the traditional invocatory item in Odissi, paying obeisance to Lord Jagannath and then performing a Vishnu Vandana with the Shloka, ‘Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam’ from the Vishnu Sahasranamam, choreographed by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, set to the music composition of Guru Bijay Kumar Jena.
Her second presentation for the evening will be Batu, a pure dance or Nritta, with focus on the technical aspects of Odissi. The dance choreography is by the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, set to the music composition of Pt. Bhubaneswar Mishra. The evening will also feature the presentation of a Pallavi, set to the melodious Raag Arabi, set to Ekatali, choreographed by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra to the music composition of Pt. Bhubaneswar Mishra.
Wu Kan will then proceed to perform an Odia Abhinaya, ‘To Lagi Gopo Danda’, a song of Lord Krishna in a playful mood, written by popular and eminent Odia poet, Banamali. This dance composition is choreographed by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and set to the music composition of Pt. Bhubaneswar Mishra.
She then presents Bhagavati Stotram, portraying the power and grandeur of Goddess Durga, choreographed by Ratikant Mohapatra and set to the music composition of Satyabrata Katha. Her recital will conclude with Mokshya, signifying the total surrender of the dancer to God.
A pure dance sequence in fast tempo is performed to an accompaniment of a recitation of rhythmic syllables which are played out on the Mardala, followed an invocation to the Goddess Shakti, praying for the universal well-being of mankind and a harmonious co-existence.