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 Kala-dhi - Satish Suri e-mail: satishism@yahoo.co.in Photos: R.N. Sudhi May 11, 2024 The commemoration of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra's 20th death anniversary, curated by Sonalika Purohit as part of Kala-dhi, and presented on the 26th of April at the A.D.A. Rangamandira, Bangalore, was a moving and significant event for the Odissi dance community. Odissi dancers Sikata Das, Pranati Mohapatra, Ratikant Mohapatra, and the Srjan ensemble paid a fitting tribute to the legendary guru, whose influence continues to resonate in the world of Odissi dance.  Shrinika Purohit Shrinika Purohit, a child prodigy with prodigious talent, mesmerized the audience as she opened the Kala-dhi program with her performance titled 'Navadurga.' This composition, attributed to Maharishi Vyas, beautifully describes the Goddess in all her glory. Shrinika's performance skillfully highlighted the complement of Kali, the destroyer of Rakta Beeja, and the representation of Shakti, the supreme mother, embodying both illusion and peace. What added to the depth and beauty of Shrinika's performance was her graceful assimilation of late Pankaj Charan Das's choreography. With her innate talent, impeccable technique, and ability to convey emotions through her movements, Shrinika brought the choreography to life on stage. Shrinika Purohit continued with a rendition of Yugmadanda Pallavi. This piece showcased the harmonious tussle between music and dance. Shrinika's execution of the choreography was technically impressive, demonstrating a firm grip on rhythm and vocabulary. It's incredible to see such a young dancer command the stage with such confidence and artistry, leaving a lasting impression on the audience with her expressive movements and emotive storytelling.  Sikata Das Sikata Das, with her unique style, delivered a highly expressive portrayal as she essayed the role of Radha in the Odia song "Sarane gali Murali." Sikata skillfully expressed Radha's surrender to Lord Krishna and his enchanting flute, while also conveying her envy of how close a mere piece of bamboo is to her beloved Krishna. Sikata's perfect blend of bhava and rasa portrayed the various moods of Radha. Her artistry and grace shone through as she depicted Radha's longing, love, and devotion towards Lord Krishna. Sikata's strong credentials as a senior dancer were evident in her flawless execution and her ability to bring depth to the character of Radha.  Pranati Mohanty Pranati Mohanty rendered the ashtapadi "Kuru Yadunandana." Seated gracefully on a stool, she blended her hasta mudras with her physical movements, reaching the pinnacle of shringar as Radha basked in the ecstasy of love. In this particular segment, Radha, overwhelmed with love, requests Krishna to restore her dishevelled appearance. Through Pranati's skilful abhinaya, the audience was able to witness the depth of Radha's emotions as she longed for Krishna's attention. Her expressions beautifully conveyed Radha's desire to be adorned with ornaments and accessories, enhancing the visual storytelling of the performance.  Srjan ensemble The Srjan ensemble, featuring the talents of Rajashri Praharaj, Aishwariya Singhdev, Preetisha Mohapatra, and G. Sanjay, crafted a remarkable rendition of 'Panchamsavari Pallavi' set in the unconventional 15-beat taal and the raag Chandrakauns, a testament to their dedication to evolving the art form while respecting its traditional roots. The collaborative efforts of composer Pradip Kumar Das and choreographer Ratikant Mohapatra, culminated in a performance that beautifully fused music with movement, allowing the dancers to demonstrate their technical prowess and artistic expression. The dynamic sequences, detailed footwork, and emotive gestures and poses created a performance that was visually arresting and appealing, offering the audience an immersive and memorable experience. The ensemble's synchronization and precision underscored the captivating essence of the performance.  Ratikant Mohapatra The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the, highly communicative solo exposition by Ratikant Mohapatra, portraying the character of Shabari. Ratikant brought to life the unparalleled piety and devotion of Shabari. With a hunched body trembling with age and devotion, Ratikant embodied the essence of Shabari, depicting her unwavering love and dedication towards Lord Rama. The audience witnessed Shabari's humble acts of washing the Lord's feet, plucking flowers to worship him, and tasting every berry before offering it to Rama. Ratikant's embodiment of Shabari's devotion served as a bridge between the divine narrative and the human experience, resonating with the timeless nature of devotion itself. The Srjan ensemble's performance of "Chandra chooda Shivashankari Gauri", stood out for its finesse. The adaptation of Purandaradasa's devotional composition into the Odissi dance form is a beautiful example of cultural synthesis and reverence for tradition. Nityananda Mishra's interpretation, Agnimitra Behera's musical setting, and Ratikant Mohapatra's choreography came together to create a performance that was both an act of worship and a tribute to the dance form's lineage. The intricate movements and expressions of the dancers brought to life the rich tapestry of symbolism associated with Shiva. The poetic imagery used to describe Lord Shiva as "One whose locks are adorned by the moon, the creator of auspiciousness, the husband of Parvati, the One wearing the skin of a tiger and a pinaka (bow), bearing the holy Ganges on his head and a friend of Lord Vishnu" beautifully captured the multifaceted nature of the deity and his significance in Hindu mythology. This ensemble piece concluding the day's program, not only celebrated the divine qualities of Lord Shiva but also served as a fitting homage to Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, whose contributions to Odissi dance have left an indelible mark on the art form.  Bangalore based Satish Suri is an avid dance rasika besides being a life member of the Music and Arts Society. |
