The five-day long Odishi International (Biswa OdishiUtsav) came to an end here on Saturday. On this occasion, life time achievement award was given to one of the most talented Gurus of present generation Durga Charan Ranbir. The utsav was organised by Samskritiki, a 27- year- old cultural organisation.
The evening featured three groups, one duet and four solo performances including the recitals of Padma Shri Kum Kum Mohanty and Guru Aruna Mohanty.
The evening session was kicked off with a group performance by the dancers of Odishi Dance Company, USA. They performed Vande Mataram.
This was followed by Mohona Pallavi and yet another group presentation by the students of same institutes.
The evening also featured an abhinaya of Aaisarya Singh Deo of Srjan, a group performance by the artists of Bangalore- based dance institution, Nrutyantar, solo presentation by Rahul Acharya, another group item by the students of Rudraksha, a Bhubaneswar- based dance school, and only one duet by lingaraj Pradhan and Sanjukta Dutta Pradhan.
Padma Shri Kum Kum Mohanty, the main attraction of the evening, enthralled the packed audience with Hamsadhwani Pallavi showcasing all the intricate nuances of the genre and resembling the sculptural poses etched in temple walls. This was followed by abhinaya “Braja ki asichu choro”. ‘The kidnapper is at the door waiting to capture you if you do not go to bed immediately’ had no effect on the child Krishna. Mohanty so nicely essayed the characters of Yoshoda and Krishna that the art lovers simply hooked to their seats.
Guru Aruna Mohanty, another star attraction of the evening, caught the attention of the rasikas with her abhinaya Sansara based on raga malika and tala malika. The item, choreographed by Aruna Mohanty herself, says about the three stages of life-childhood, youth and old.
Bijaya Kumar Jena and Kedar Mishra shared the credits of music composition and script respectively.