Anwesa Mahanta performs at Rabindra Bhawan in Guwahati. Picture by Eastern Projections

Anwesa Mahanta, an upcoming artiste, left her mark on the audience with her Sattriya performance. The recital was a part of the programme titled Nritya Prabha organised at Rabindra Bhawan by the state directorate of cultural affairs to patronise budding artistes in classical dance.

Anwesa’s two-hour recital was divided into two chapters. A disciple of Sattriya culture and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Ghanakanta Bora Borbayan, Anwesa began with Vandana, an invocation to Lord Krishna based on an excerpt from Naamghoshaa by Madhavdeva. Her next item was Raamdaani, a number comprising intricate foot-work and hastamudras set to Raga Ahir in chouta taal.

This was followed by Geetor Naach based on Borgeet, set to Raga Tud Vasant, a series of six taals. Anwesa depicted the spiritual journey of the saint poet in discovering the beauty of Krishna as viewed by his cowherd friends. The composition was interspersed with dance and elegant angika movements.

Anwesa performed Raamdaani in Rajaghariyaa Chaali Naach, which was set to traditional Kirtana style of music in Chouta Taal. The most significant perform-ance was Anwesa’s Chaali Naach based on Madhavdeva in Dharam Jaati Taal. Anwesa illustrated the joy and suffering of the gopis both in the presence and absence of Krishna. Her next item was based on the Kamsa vadha episode of Srimanta Sankaradeva’s Kirtan Ghoshaa titled Mathuraa Vijaya.

Anwesa was effortless in depicting a number of characters through abhinaya. Her command over laya and taal deserves kudos.

She concluded her recital by paying obeisance to god, her guru and the audience.

Ghanakanta Bora Borbayan on khol and Prabhat Sarma on flute ably supported Anwesha.