Bhubaneswar :The second day of Kelucharana-Keerti-Shatakamorganised by the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Govt. of Odisha, in associated with Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre and Srjan-Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Nrityabasa, while witnessing the same enthusiasm and fervor of the first day, was held entirely at Rabindra Mandap. The morning session eminent and world-renowned senior Odissi dance and music exponents and Gurus, Dr. Sonal Mansingh, Smt. Kumkum Lal, Smt. Madhavi Mudgal, Dr. Ileana Citaristi, Smt. Aruna Mohanty, Smt. Debi Basu, Dr. Ramahari Das, Smt. Sharmila Biswas, Smt. Daksha Mashruwala, Dr. Bijaya Kumar Jena, and Shri Ratikant Mohapatra shared their heartfelt memories, reflections, and personal journeys with Guruji. The session was compèred by Dr. Srinibas Ghatuary, and concluded with the felicitation of the esteemed speakers and guests.
The evening session distinguished guests and dignitaries,who graced the occasion with their presence were Shri Deba Prasad Dash,Special Secretary, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, Eminent Odissi dancer, Dr. Rohini Chakraborty,Guruji’s disciple & Odissi Researcherand Shri Ratikant Mohapatra, Director Srjan.
After the lighting of the lamp and welcome address by Shri Ratikant Mohapatra, Director, Srjan, the cultural programme for the evening, featuring 10 senior disciples of Guruji commenced with Smt. Sikata Das’ beautiful rendition of the Odia Abhinaya Dine Na Dakibu. Among the other Odia Abhinayas presented in the evening were the presentation Anuragini by Smt. Swapnarani Sinha and Smt. Dipti Routray; the ever-endearing composition of mother Yashoda trying to get baby Krishna to sleep in the song Brajaku Chora, an epitome of Vatsalya Rasa, performed by Smt. Sharmila Biswas; and the depiction of Mana Udharana by Shri Gajendra Panda.
Carrying forward Guruji’s love for 12th century poet Shri Jayadeva’s magnum opus Geeta Govinda, Smt. Kasturi Pattanaik presented the popular and well-known prabandhaYahi Madhava while Smt. Sharmila Mukerjee performed the beautiful prabandha, NindatiChandanam, a rare gem among Guruji’s compositions.
Bringing the stage to life with nritta pieces were Smt. Sujata Mohapatra, who presented the lilting Kirwani Pallavi, while Smt. Leena Nanda and Smt. Munmun Chakraborty performed the soulful and intricate Bilahari Pallavi. In the penultimate performance of the evening, Shri Bichitrananda Swain’s Rudrakshya Foundation presented Tala Taranga, embellished with intricate footwork, energetic movements, and group synergy. The evening concluded with Shri Niranjan Rout’s group, Nupur, who presented an auspicious and devoted rendition of Shiva-Vandana. Seamlessly conducting the proceedings for the evening was Dr. Mrutyunjaya Rath and Dr. Nazia Allam, while the dancers were illuminated on stage by the creative and beautiful light designing of Shri Debiprassad Mishra.
The organisation of the three-day extravaganza, scheduled to conclude on January 10 at Rabindra Mandap, was greatly commended and applauded by senior Art stalwarts, Odissi gurus, and students of Art who gathered in hundreds to celebrate the life and times of the legend that was Guru Shri Kelucharan Mohapatra.
