Geeta Mahalik performs Odissi at the 31st National Barsha Festival 2011 held at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 17: Love of the monsoons rained on enthusiasts of music and dance in the city as the 31st edition of Barsha festival played to a packed auditorium at Rabindra Mandap on Tuesday.

Barsha is a national celebration of the spirit of monsoon organised by Chinta O Chetana.

The four-day festival started with memorable performances by veteran personalities of music and dance. Well-known singer Chittaranjan Pani rendered compositions in Hindustani classical music. The songs were dedicated to monsoon and he presented some seasonal ragas.

New Delhi-based Odissi dancer Geeta Mahalik’s performance left the audience spellbound as the danseuse presented one fascinating sequence after another. Starting off with a piece on Lord Jagannath, she went on to perform on verses from the Gita Govinda. Mahalik’s abhinaya depicting the legend of spiritual love between Radha and Krishna was pulsating and the dancer portrayed the emotions with panache.

As a part of the festival dedicated to the rains, Mahalik also presented a recital on the monsoon. The beautiful Hindustani song Dekho sakhi barasne aayi badra was presented on raga Megha. The most outstanding item from Mahalik’s repertoire was her well-known composition of the Ramayan based on Swati Tirunal’s Bhavayami Raghuramam. It featured all major episodes of the epic tale. The Carnatic verse was remarkably transformed to go with the Odissi recital and won rounds of applause from the viewers.

“It was a delightful performance. The grace and involvement with which the dancer presented the various items were amazing. Watching Geeta Mahalik was a treat,” said Abinash Maharana, a viewer.

Singer Sunanda Patnaik, actor Sarat Pujari and Odissi guru Ratikant Mohapatra were present among the audience.