Guru Binod Bihari Panda performs at the Odissi Sangeet Mahotshav in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, March 15: The beats of the mardala and the notes of the harmonium combined to mesmerise music lovers in the city at the Odissi Sangeet Mahotsav that concluded on Monday evening. The last two days of the four-day festival, organised by the Sangeet Sudhakar Balakrushna Dash Foundation, saw the presentation of a wide range of Odissi classical and folk music.

On Sunday, it was mostly veteran musicians and singers who took the stage. Guru Niranjan Patra held the attention of the audience with his remarkable rendition of “Sakhi moon laje malli”. The mardal player’s voice touched the crowd so much that he was requested to sing several bhajans and pieces of poetry one after the another.

Among the 19 artistes who performed on the penultimate day of the festival were renowned names including Guru Gobind Chandra Patra, Nabin Parida and Mitali Chinara, among others. Mostly solo vocal recitals took place during the day-long programme.

The last day saw wonderful performances of Chhanda and Champu by young artistes as well as veterans. Students from Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya and Titlagarh Sangeet Mahavidyalaya performed on Monday afternoon. This was followed by recital of folk songs by artistes from Saraikela.

The fascinating performances of the musicians and singers from there proved that though the region is included as a part of Jharkhand, the Oriya community has preserved traditions including classical and folk music of Orissa.

Later, well-known vocalists Guru Ramhari Das, Bijoy Jena, Bharati Jena, Nazia Alam charmed the audience. However a power cut proved a hiccup in the vibrant evening.

But despite the absence of a microphone, speakers and lights, Guru Ramhari Das started playing the harmonium and Pratap Mishra played the mardal while young singer Himanshu Shekhar Swain regaled the crowd.

“It was just unbelievable what solace music can bring even when there is discomfort all around. The performances during the power cut were indeed impressive and praiseworthy,” said music director Shantanu Mohapatra.

“I really enjoyed the entire festival. We wish to attend such events more regularly since they bring us close to our culture,” said Bandana Mishra, a music lover.

“We are glad that music lovers of the city joined in large numbers to celebrate Odissi music,” said Guru Ramhari Das, one of the organisers of the event.