Sitarists pandit Manilal Nag and Mita Nag perform at rabindra mandap in bhubaneswar. pictures by ashwinee patinamita panda

Bhubaneswar, June 30: Disciples of the legendary Odissi vocalist Kashinath Pujapanda paid tribute to him on Thursday evening by organising a cultural soiree at Rabindra Mandap in the city.

The evening began with performances by Odissi vocalist Shyamamani Devi, who sang some of Pujapanda’s favourite songs. She sang a song composed by celebrated musician Balakrushna Das followed by some Odia and Hindi devotional songs.

An elaborate musical rendezvous with the sitar was up next. Famous Calcutta-based sitarist Manilal Nag and his daughter Mita Nag presented a jugalbandi with beautiful accompaniment on the tabla by Biplab Bhattacharya. The duo started with raga Jayanti Malhar, a blend of raga Jaijaiwanti and Miya Ki Malhar. The rendition concluded with a presentation of Pilu dhun.

“I have been accompanying my father to Odisha since childhood and even performed three to four times in Bhubaneswar and Puri. The audience’s knowledge of music and their zeal for classical forms has always been impressive,” said Mita.

Learning from her father made her a sincere disciple, she said. She said that fusion of different musical forms to create pleasing compositions was commendable but overdoing anything spoiled the individuality of each.

The final act of the evening was a solo dance by Aruna Mohanty, who performed after a short interval in the city as her troupe was touring USA. She started off with an obeisance to the mother goddesses. Next was her composition Barasha rasa nayana, a romantic act. Mohanty then signed off with a dramatic piece that was based on Na pani padou – an ancient poem in praise of the divinity.

Family members and disciples of Pujapanda said that the programme Pandit Kashinath Pujapanda Samman entered its fourth edition this year and was hosted at Puri the previous three years.

“Kashinath sir was the first from Odissi music to receive the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi award.

He was not only a great musician but also a wonderful person. His disciples included Arati Mishra, Pranab Patnaik, Mohini Mohan Patnaik and many more,” said veteran singer Arjun Charan Samal, also Pujapanda’s disciple and president of the organising group.