The 21st Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra Award Festival kicked off with great enthusiasm and excitement among art connoisseurs at the Rabindra Mandap here on Saturday.
The first presentation in the inaugural evening was the guru’s prime disciple Sharmila Biswas, who over the years has explored the myriad hues of Odishi traditional repertoire laced with Astapadis and compositions of medieval poets like Jayadeva, Upendra Bhanja, etc. Her programme commenced with Rag Madhuri.
This was followed by Pasyati Dishi Dishi set to Rag Des and Tal Ektali from Jayadev’s Gita Govinda depicting Radha as the Kalahantarita Nayika who sent Krishna away longing for him despite her wounded vanity. Then chiding Radha for her sullen behaviour, the Sakhi explains how Krishna waits for her to unite with spring and then both ultimately unite. While the music was composed by Bhubaneswar Mishra, the dance was choreographed by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.
The second presentation of the evening was by eminent Carnatic Vocalist Pandit OS Arun, who regaled the audience by his sonorous voice rendering some classical Carnatic songs likeSwagatam Krishna Saranagatam Krishna, Priya Charusila, Aaj Ayea Shyam More, etc.
The auditorium was full with the art lovers who were deeply engrossed with the wonderful renderings in the evening.
Those attended the programme include Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, State Tourism & Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister, Member Board of Revenue Ashok Kumar Tripathy, Culture Department Secretary Manoranjan Panigrahi and Guru Ratikanta Mohapatra, Director, Srjan. The programme was compered by Srinivas Ghatuari.