Students of Utkal University of Culture perform at the Odissi Sangeet Mahotsav. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, March 13: The Odissi music fraternity of the state has come together to promote the genre of music with a four-day mega music concert, Odissi Sangeet Mahotsav. The concert, which began on Friday, is an effort to make Odissi music recognised as one of the classical forms.

The performers at the concert organised by the Organised by Sangeet Sudhakar Balakrushna Dash Foundation included young students of music as well as eminent musicians.

On Friday, students of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya began the event with Saraswati Vandana. It was followed by popular devotional song Thaka Mana Chala Jiba performed by Debadasi Parasmani Devi. The traditional Jaga Akhada Sangeet of Puri was performed by a group that regaled the audience with a rendition of Rukmini Haran, the tale of Lord Krishna eloping with princess Rukmini.

Singer Arati Mishra rendered a couple of romantic Odissi songs revolving around Lord Krishna and Radha like Shyama Ja Ja and Hairan Mate Nakara Ete and weaved magic with her melodious voice. Singing poet Baladeb Rath’s Mahi Mandana Tula Maara, veteran singer Lata Ghosh too cast a spell on the crowd.

“Odissi music has a mesmerising effect on the listener. The combination of violin, flute and mardala accompanying the singer’s emotions during the recital of a song based on Lord Krishna or Jagannath, make it a divine experience,” said Biplab Samantray, a music aficionado.

“Starting from a variety of unique ragas to the instruments used and the style of rendition, Odissi music has every element to be counted among the classical forms of music,” said Priyanka Mishra, a student of music.

The second day of the event was a vibrant one with more than 40 well-known artistes performing at the event. Folk artistes from Puri won hearts of the audience with traditional bhajans and songs on Saturday evening.

Eminent singers like Dhiraj Mohapatra, Mohapatra Minati Bhanja, Sangeeta Panda, Niladri Kalyan Das, Shantilata Chhotray and Keshab Chandra Rout also performed during the first two days of the event. “We are glad that members of the Odissi music fraternity have joined hands to promote the music form,” said Ramahari Das of the Foundation.