Orissa Dance Academy students perform at Rabindra Mandap on Saturday. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 7: Odissi dance and music maestro, Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, who breathed his last on October 11, was paid a befitting tribute by his students and followers on Saturday.

In a unique cultural programme organised by the Orissa Dance Academy (ODA) at the Rabindra Mandap, the Guru was remembered and his disciples performed some on his most exquisite dance compositions.

The unique thing about the tribute was that the disciples had put on the rehearsal costumes and were without the full Odissi dance attire and make-up. The dancers performed in front of the photograph of Guru Pradhan.

The event started with veterans associated with the legendary dance Guru, sharing their feelings and experiences with him.

Frontline dancers of ODA, which the Guru had formed, first presented a Guru bandana with deep sincerity for their teacher. The next piece was the intricate choreography by Pradhan on Shiva Panchaka with a variety of expressions and a strong synchronisation. Rageshri Pallavi, performed by the students, followed this dance item.

The most touching piece however was Konark Kanti. Though performed numerous times before, the Odissi item that covers almost every aspect of the historical structure of Konark — dance, music, romance— impressed dance lovers, artistes from the cultural field of the state and disciples and followers of Guru Pradhan.

The young dancers also executed the Gita Govinda piece, Krushnaya Tubhyam Namah. Other items were Gotipua dance and Konark Lasyalila.

On the dias were senior personalities from the field of art and culture such as artist and litterateur Dinanath Pathy, musician Guru Ramahari Das, flautist Guru Mohini Mohan Patnaik, Chittaranjan Mallia, Guru Gopal Panda, dance Guru Nabakishore Mishra, danseuse Aruna Mohanty, Prafulla Sahoo, Biranchi Mishra, Pratap rout and others.

“While performing on the stage we felt the presence of our Guru. He will always remain alive in our hearts,” said Sanjukta Das, a disciple of the late Guru. Rituals such as lighting lamps in memory of Guru Pradhan and offering water to his soul were performed as a mark of respect towards him.

“Guru Pradhan was the architect of many dance festivals and institutes. His contribution towards the promotion of Odissi dance and music is unparallel,” said culture minister, Debi Prasad Mishra, present at the occasion.