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 Debadhara's 8th Bharat Utsav of diverse dance forms - Manjari Sinha e-mail: manjari@sinha.com Photos courtesy: Debadhara June 20, 2023 Debadhara, the Delhi based Odissi dance institution of Guru Binayak Panda, upholds the unique style of the late Guru Debaprasad Das which incorporates the essence of tribal and folk dance forms of Odisha. The institution's vision is to impart training in Odissi dance and promote the arts of India on a global stage by organizing festivals of music and dance on a regular basis. In two decades of its existence, Debadhara has presented 32 such festivals. Their Bharat Utsav series aims to bring together diverse dance forms on one platform to celebrate the concept of 'Unity in Diversity'. Debadhara presented its 8th Bharat Utsav at the India International Centre, recently. The two-day festival supported by the Ministry of Culture featured dancers of various dance styles comprising Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Mohiniyattam, and Vilasini Natyam. The mesmerizing array of performances exemplified the rich cultural heritage of India. All the artistes who performed in this festival were honoured with 'Bharat Gaurav Nritya Samman' for their contribution to the field of Indian dance.  Kala Shakti group The inaugural evening commenced with an Odissi performance by the Kala Shakti group, an initiative spearheaded by Patil Pranjal Lahensingh, District Magistrate of Shahdara, who aims to empower children through engagement in various art forms and sublimate their negative instincts which cause criminal inclinations. It was heartening to see Debadhara's laudable association with the Kala Shakti initiative, imparting Odissi dance education in making art accessible to all. Led by Dr. Abha Mangal, the Kala Shakti group with children from St. Stephan's Center for Community Health, presented the invocatory 'Pancha Deva Stuti' choreographed by Guru Binayak Panda.  Vani Madhav Vani Madhav, a senior Odissi exponent of Guru Debaprasad Parampara, trained under Guru Gajendra Panda and Guru Sudhakar Sahu, presented 'Ritu Nayika', a well-conceived performance showcasing the effect of the Grishma and Varsha Ritu on Ashta Nayikas with their anticipation and longing to meet their beloved Nayak. If the scorching summer was depicted through the hot sun, dried water bodies, thirsty birds and beasts, and wilting flora and fauna, the monsoon season brought the rejuvenating showers and dancing peacocks. The imaginative choreography and music captured the effect of the scorching heat and the refreshing rains on not just the heroine but also on nature expressed through the Odia song "Giri gahane" and "Matta kunjar samaagato ghana...". The surprising inclusion of drut ektala on tabla, for instance, enhanced the effect of pakhawaj in depicting the seasons through appropriate music, choreography, and Vani Madhav's facial expressions.  Purvadhanashree Purvadhanashree's vivacious Vilasini Natyam came next. This dance tradition of the Telugu Devadasis was researched and revived by Guru Swapnasundari who trained Purvadhanashree in this dance style. Trained also in Bharatanatyam, Purva has a prerequisite idea of melody and rhythm. Opening with a Swara Pallavi in raga Arabhi, soulfully sung by Sudha Raghuraman, where the same notation was treated in a variety of melodic flourishes and rhythmic permutations and combinations, Purva first impressed with her command of rhythm before charming the audience with her mesmerizing abhinaya on a Padam by Perumal Udayaar in a 'Prashnottara' question-answer format between the Sakhi and the Nayika.  Jayaprabha Menon & Radhika Menon The accomplished Mohiniyattam dancer Jayaprabha Menon, and her daughter/disciple, Radhika Menon presented the customary Mukhachalam followed by the abhinaya piece "Chaliye kunjan mon" written and composed by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal in raga Brindavani Sarang. The concluding verse "Tum hum mil Shyaam-Hari" had glimpses of Mayur Nritya, Jal Vihar, and Vastrapaharanam also. The lyrical beauty of Mohiniyattam and the nuances of abhinaya, treated dance lovers with totally a different flavour of this dance form from Kerala.  Rupa Rani Das The last segment of the inaugural evening was a comely Kathak recital by Rupa Rani Das Borah. With a master's degree in Kathak from Indira Kala Vishwa Vidyalaya, Khairagarh, Rupa got further groomed under Guru Surendra Saikia. Opening with 'Ganesha-Stuti' she first impressed with nritta, the technical aspect of presenting Thaat, Aamad, Tode-Tukde, Paran, Ladi, etc in Teentala and then proceeded to abhinaya on the famous Dadra "Rangi sari gulabi chunariya re, Mohe mare nazaria sanvaria re....". Starting with a Doha in Baithaki bhava to create the atmosphere for the shringara rasa, Rupa continued till the concluding Laggi on tabla where she reached the climax with crisp footwork on the intricate rhythmic patterns.  Debadhara group  Ishita Bharti and Mehal The concluding evening opened with Odissi by the Debadhara group presenting Mangalacharan 'Hari Hara', representing the personification of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. This was followed with a duet by Ishita Bharti and Mehal both senior disciples of Guru Binayak Panda. Next came the Bharatanatyam duet by Aparajita Sarma and Upasana Gagneja, both disciples of Guru Kanaka Sudhakar. They presented "Navarasam Krishnamrutham" and "Yen palli kondeer Ayya" depicting the beauty of Brindavan and narrating incidents from Krishna Leela, portraying Navarasas, the nine emotions set to Ragamalika.  Aparajita Sarma and Upasana Gagneja  Disciples of Guru Seetha Nagajothy Kuchipudi educators Guru Seetha Nagajothy and Guru P. Nagajothy showcased the rich heritage of Kuchipudi dance form through their senior disciples. This group of well-trained dancers presented 'Dasavatara Sabdam', the traditional piece highlighting the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu and concluded their performance with a vibrantly synchronized Brindavana Saranga Thillana.  Moumala Nayak The captivating Kathak performance by Guru Moumala Nayak reached the two-day festival to its climax. Commencing with an invocatory Shiv Vandana, Maumala enthralled the audience with beautiful bandishes and moving abhinaya. No doubt, the '8th Bharat Utsav' organized by Debadhara successfully showcased the richness and diversity of Indian dance forms while fostering a sense of cultural unity.  Manjari Sinha has an M.A. in Sanskrit and Music, and trained in vocal, tabla, sitar and Kathak dance. She has regular columns in national dailies as a music and dance critic. |
