Dancers from India and abroad perform Odissi at the National Festival of Odissi Dance and Music at Rabindra Mandap auditorium in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Dec. 30: Odissi dance and music was presented in all its glory at the National Festival of Odissi Dance and Music organised by the Odissi Research Centre.

The five-day event held at the Rabindra Mandap auditorium saw the get-together of Odissi dancers from all over the country and some even from abroad.

The festival began on December 26 with performances by a troupe from the Odissi Research Centre. It was followed by recitals on live music by Rajshree Prahraj, Gayatri Chand, Nandini Ghoshal and others.

There were more than 10 performances by Eiko Shinhaura from Japan, Shradha Suman from USA, Pompi Paul from Calcutta, Ayushi Sharma from Canada and others.

The later part of the second day saw performances of veteran danseuse Kiran Segal, dancer Suhag Nalini Das, Leena Nanda and others.

Dancers from Illeana Citaristi’s troupe Art Vision, Calcutta based Koustavi Sarkar, artistes from Srjan groomed by Guru Ratikant and Sujata Mohapatra, danseuse Lipsa Das, artistes from Orissa Dance Academy, dancers Eleonara Ukhanova and Angelina Ukhanova from Russia also performed at the grand event.

Recitals of Odissi music by some bright and promising talents as well as senior artistes at the event drew large number of crowds. Singers Bijoy Jena, Sangita Panda, mardal recital by Dhaneswar Swain and troupe, flute by Jabahar Mishra entertained the crowd.

A workshop on promoting Odissi music and dance was also organised at the venue during the festival. Guru Ramahari Das, Sangita Gosain, Mitali Chinara and many others from the music fraternity assembled to discuss the theme ‘Odissi Music — the road ahead’. “Odissi music has a unique charm and certain elements of this style of music are distinctive from other classical forms of music which makes it special,” said Ramahari Das.

“The number of events should be increased to spread awareness about the music form. Especially, events in schools and colleges will help generate young listeners and musicians,” he added.

A discussion on ‘Cultivation of audience in 21st century through Odissi dance’ was held on Tuesday.

Prolific dancers such as Minati Mishra, Priyambada Hejmadi Mohanty, Guru Aruna Mohanty, Guru Naba Kishore Mishra, Guru Bichitrananda Swain, Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, dance critic Kedar Mishra and others shared views about the reducing number of young viewers for the dance form.

“The dedication of a dancer is the only way the performance on stage can bind the audience,” said Minati Mishra. The event concluded today with some regaling dance performances.