Satyabhama Behera performs Odissi at a cultural evening held as a tribute to eminent artistes who passed away in 2010. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, April 6: Cultural group Bhumika organised an event of dance and music on Tuesday evening to offer tribute to four eminent personalities from the field of art and culture, who died in 2010.

Paying obeisance to Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, Bhajan Samrat Bhikari Bal, actor Hemant Das and singer Sikandar Alam, many young artistes of the state performed at the event at Jaydev Bhawan.

The programme kicked off with a couple of solo Odissi recitals. Danseuse Satyabhama Behera performed a Kali Mangalacharan to invoke Goddess Kali. Satyabhama’s light feet and vivid expressions were impressive. Pitambar Biswal’s rendition was enchanting as the dancer presented the vibrant piece of Ashtashambhu. Biswal’s graceful movements and easy transformation of facial gestures helped him showcase the eight different manifestations of Lord Shiva. The duo dedicated their performances to Guru Gangadhar Pradhan.

“Guru Pradhan was a guiding lamp for us. The Odissi fraternity will ever be obliged to him for his contributions,” said Biswal.

Paying a tribute to actor Hemant Das, actors Ashrumochan Mohanty, Ratan Meher and Bharati Das performed on Manika, alo Manika, his evergreen song from Sesa Srabana. This was followed by bhajan recitals by well known singer Subhash Das and Rabi Mohapatra. They rendered some famous bhajans by Bhikari Bal, such as, Kotho Bhogo Khiya, Prana Mitani Bareh Chahan Re and so on.

Eminent singer and composer Prafulla Kar and his son Mahaprasad Kar presented some well known songs of Sikander Alam. His vocalist daughter Nazia Alam also regaled the crowd with her melodious voice, performing on some classic numbers by her father.

“The rare versatility of Sikander Alam will always be missed in the Oriya music industry,” said Kar.

Veteran actor Bijay Mohanty, singers Subhash Das and Mahaprasad Kar as well as Odissi dancer Biswal were felicitated on the occasion.

“Last year we saw a grave loss of great artistes of the state. The event was a homage to them for their contribution to the world of art, music and dance,” said Rusi Patnaik, secretary, Bhumika.