Students of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya present a group song and (above) Odia singer Mitali Chinnara performs at Jayadev Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Feb. 29: Soulful Odissi classical music regaled the audience at the two-day Nadabramha Sangeet Utsav held at Jayadev Bhavan here. The programme concluded on Tuesday.

Devotional songs and instrumental renditions enthralled music lovers at this fifth edition of the festival.

The inaugural day was dedicated to the Odissi classical styles of chhanda and champu.

The evening began with singer Mohapatra Minati Bhanja rendering Chandana charchita, a poignant excerpt from Jayadev’s Gita Govinda.

The song spoke of Lord Krishna adorning himself before leaving for Radha’s abode. Bhanja beautifully captured the excitement and anticipation described in the ancient poem.

During the recital, the singer changed the rhythm and pace of the song. “I have been rendering the Gita Govinda songs for years and every time I sing this composition dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha, I explore various meanings and emotions hidden behind the beautiful lyrics written by Jayadev,” said Bhanja.

Vocalist Bharati Jena presented Madhu Malaya based on raga Basant. She rendered the composition in ektaal. The advent and colours of spring were well captured by the singer in her rendition.

The evening moved on to chhanda with singer Abhimanyu Samanta Singhar’s rendition of legendary poet Upendra Bhanja’s Bitalaku alingana kari janavi sobhana and Raate basithilu dhruva upare. His sonorous voice and unique the blend of theme, time and tune — three quintessential requirements of chhanda — won immense appreciation from the audience.

After chhanda, it was the turn for a champu sequence by vocalist Himansu Sekhar Swain. Harmohan Khuntia’s splendid tabla recital gave the perfect closure to the first day.

A tribute to poet Bhimabhoi’s creations took centre stage on Tuesday. After an invocatory song on Lord Shiv by the students of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, it was the delightful talabaadya katcheri that left the audience spellbound.

The katcheri — an instrumental symphony — saw a fusion of four of the most melodious musical instruments – dhola, khola, mardala and tabla — conducted by Jagannath Kuanr. The musicians merged all the four instruments in same rhythm and pace that was often acknowledged by the audience with loud rounds of applause.

Bhimabhoi’s verses came to life through the renditions of singers Jhumki Rath, Nimakanta Rautray, Sudhansu Biswas, Harapriya Swain and Mohapatra Minati Bhanja. Odia singer Mitali Chinnara too performed at the event.

The audience seemed to enjoy the performances of the maestros. “Being an ardent classical music lover, I have been attending the sangeet utsav every year and this year, too, I will take with me memories of some enchanting performances and some soul-touching renditions,” said Radhika Behera, a music lover.