Dancers from Rudraksha, run by Pradhan’s disciple Bichitrananda Swain, perform at Rabindra Madap on Monday. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Nov.16: Two legendary figures of Orissa’s culture scene, singer Bhikari Bal and Odissi Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, who passed away recently have left the dance and music fraternity mourning.

Artistes from all over the state gathered at Rabindra Mandap on Monday to pay tribute to the two icons at an event organised by the department of culture and the Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi.

There were a number of performances by the disciples and followers of both Bal and Guru Pradhan. To pay homage to the bhajan singer, famous songs of Bhikari Bal were rendered by well-known singers.

While singer Shantilata Chhotray began with famous bhajan Bhaju kina Rama nama, Laxmikanta Palit presented Bhakata bidura. Similarly, Guru Ramhari Das, Lata Ghosh, Sangita Gosain, Keshab Chandra Rout and Subhendra Nayak went on to sing some touching hymns and songs on Lord Jagannath, Bal was admired for. “The voice of Bhikari bhai will always reverberate within our souls. He was our idol since he sang with pure devotion and love for Lord Jagannath,” said Shantilata Chhotray.

Disciples of Guru Gangadhar Pradhan choreographed their students on the occasion of paying homage to their Guru. Boys from Konarka Natyamandapa— established by Guru Pradhan— showcased a brilliant performance of Gotipua, which was a befitting tribute to the dynamic promoter and organiser of Odissi dance festivals.

Dancers from Rudraksha, run by Pradhan’s disciple Bichitrananda Swain performed on a Shiva Bandana, Dhyayan, Nityan, Maheshan followed by a Rageshri pallavi.

“Guru Gangadhar Pradhan was an architect of Odissi festivals who showed us the way to propagate our dance form. It was his wish to hold a Chilka Festival, which he was working towards before he left us. We have planned to hold such a festival wherein Odissi and Gotipua would be performed by renowned artistes as well as new comers,” said Ashok Tripathy, secretary, culture and tourism. “We might hold this festival from the coming year either at Barkul, Satapada or Chilka,” he added. Director of culture Rabindranath Kar, vice chancellor of Utkal University of Culture, Amiya Patnaik were also present at the event.