Flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia and troupe perform at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 26: Bhubaneswar Music Circle, a cultural organisation, celebrated its 50th year with a three-day concert at Rabindra Mandap here.

Artistes such as celebrated flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia and legendary vocalist Girija Devi performed at the event.

Organised in association with ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Calcutta, and Indian Council of Cultural Relations, the concert began on Wednesday with a poetry and Hindustani recital by vocalist Lakshmishree Banerjee. She sang Hindustani folk songs with interludes of poetry in between.

Pandit Chaurasia took the stage to a loud round of applause. He played raga Maru Bihag and was accompanied by his disciples of the city-based Gurukul.

“I owe a lot to Cuttack and Odisha made a musician out of me,” said Pandit Chaurasia.

On the second evening, a Dharwad (Karnataka)-based Hindustani vocalist presented a few folk songs. From songs on devotion towards Krishna to different moods of love, the singer from Kirana gharana presented a medley of compositions.

Jugalbandi between Odisha’s percussionists, Dhaneswar Swain and Sachidananda Das, exponents of the instrument mardala, was also appreciated. Calcutta-based sitar player Pandit Partha Chatterjee’s recital was another attraction on Thursday.

The rendition by vocalist Girija Devi was the highlight of the concluding evening. “It is a matter of joy that Bhubaneswar Music Circle is going on strong even after a 50-year journey. I would love to come here again,” she said.

Other attractions of the concert were slide guitar by Ratan Bharati from Calcutta and an Odissi vocal recital by Guru Ramahari Das and Bijaya Kumar Jena. The festival concluded on Friday.