Anjana Moyee Saikia

Anjana Moyee Saikia, one of the most talented youngsters in the arena of classical dance in Assam, excels in both Odissi and Sattriya. But her area of expertise is Odissi, one of the seven premier forms of Indian classical dance, in which she has graduated to a superior level in the last two to three years.

Her command over her craft was evident in her latest Odissi recital at Rabindra Bhawan on Saturday.

The programme was inaugurated by the commissioner to the state department of culture, Mrinal Kumar Barooah. Saikia presented five items that evening. As per tradition, she began her performance with mangalacharan, an item in which the dancer pays floral tribute to Lord Krishna and seeks his blessings.

The dancer took no time to project her expertise in her next item, pallabi, a pure dance piece. She displayed the elements that decorate pallabi with praiseworthy footwork and lasya. The number, choreographed by Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra, was set to raga Shankarabharanam in ektaal. Saikia’s skill in dealing with the lyrical movements of the item, performed with grace and charm, earned wide appreciation.

The next item Saikia presented with Pabitra Kumar Pradhan was an abhinaya piece, titled Nava Durga. The Devi stuti lyrically narrated the nine different forms of Goddess Durga. The vocal composition of the item was haunting and the dancers complimented it with their brilliant sense of rhythm and outstanding facial expressions that brought alive the might of Goddess Durga.

Saikia was superb with her footwork and hastamudra. Pradhan added colour to the performance with his wonderful movements and physical gesture.

Saikia completed her recital with moksha, also choreographed by Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra. The main theme of this number was salvation and the dancer depicted it passionately.

A solo abhinaya number, Sritakamala, presented by Pabitra Kumar Pradhan, was also a visual treat.

The team of artistes providing support to the dancers comprised Sachikanta Nayak (vocal), Ramachandra Behera (pakhawaj), Pradeep Maharana (violin), Prasanna Barua (flute) and Jonali Gupta (sitar).