Ananya Panda from Angul performs Odissi at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 10: Performances on various forms of Indian classical dance by budding artistes earned a lot of appreciation at the Aekalavya dance programme.

Organised by dance institute Lasyakala and supported by Dance Multiplies Hope organisation, the event was held on Friday evening at the Rabindra Mandap auditorium here.

An Odissi dance drama by Saswat Joshi on the life of Krishna’s devotee Meerabai was choreographed by danseuse Illeana Citaristi and composed by Laxmikant Palit.

The sequence illustrated Meerabai’s devotion and love for Lord Krishna. Then followed elegant recitals by young dancers Manasi Tripathy, Ananya Panda and Meenati Mohapatra.

While Manasi, who performed a Kirwani Pallavi, belongs to the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Gharana, Ananya from Angul has been groomed under the tutelage of Guru Pranati Mohanty.

Meenati Mohapatra, a disciple from Citaristi’s Art Vision, performed a Jha Champu during the event. She also regaled the crowd with an abhinaya Chandana Charchita.

Kathak dancer Anuj Mishra, from the Lucknow Gharana, performed a Ram Vandana, while Kuchipudi artiste Ajay Kumar too showcased a piece of dance on a mythological theme. The audience loved the variety of dances performed.

“It was amazing to see artistes from all over the country presenting different themes of classical dances. Although young, all of the dancers performed immaculately,” said Bipin Chandra Sahoo, a viewer. “I loved the Nabadurga sequence by Manasi Tripathy. She was very articulate and also graceful at the same time,” said Pranati Tripathy, a dance student.

Apart from the performances, the programme included the presentation of Aekalavya Samman that was awarded to dancers Manasi Tripathy, Anuj Mishra and Ajay Kumar.

“I’m humbled with the award. The event has been a great platform for all of us young artistes,” said danseuse Tripathy.

Present at the occasion were veteran singer Tansen Singh, Odissi and Mahari dancer Suhag Nalini Das, actress Anu Choudhury and Odissi Guru Prasant Patnaik.