Odissi and folk dance performances by Rudraksha Nrutyanusthan at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, May 16: A collage of all forms of Odissi dance, especially folk dances, regaled dance connoisseurs of the city at the annual function ‘Ninaad’ of city-based dance institute Rudrakshya Foundation.

Graceful renditions by senior artistes and fascinating performances by little dancers of the institute made the event, held at the Rabindra Mandap on Sunday evening, a colourful affair.

Unlike a typical programme, the best was not kept for the end and rendered right at the beginning of the show. It was the aesthetic composition and effortless execution of ‘Bhaskaraya Namaha’ by dancer Lingaraj Pradhan and his group that charmed the audience during the Mangalacharan. The Surya Stutee, an invocation of Surya (the Sun god), was dedicated to the many manifestations of the Sun and set the mood for the evening.

A series of impressive renditions were then staged at this third edition of Ninaad. Tiny dancers of Rudraksha surprised the audience with a pristine recital of the purest form of Odissi dance compositions – the ‘sthayee’.

While this form of Odissi is known for its intricate movements, the youngest disciples of the institute performed a piece in this genre based on raga mohana composed by the late Guru Pankaj Charan Das. The performance was greatly appreciated.

“If young artistes can perform intricate compositions so confidently, we should be assured of a bright future of Odissi dance,” said Biswaranjan Sahoo, a viewer.

Various compositions of pallavis were also showcased at the event. The Basanta pallavi performed here was particularly captivating. Similarly, batu nrutya and abhinaya, the other major categories of Odissi, were also presented at the dance concert. The Gita Govinda abhinaya depicted the passionate love between Radha and Krishna.

Folk dances such as Sambalpuri and other rural forms were also presented at the event.

“The folk songs depicting little girls plucking mangoes from the village orchard was a nostalgic piece. Though this is not seen in urban areas, many of us have such memories of our childhood,” said Amrita Patnaik, another viewer.

“We tried to showcase all aspects of Odissi dance and are glad the audience loved it. All our artistes had worked very hard, preparing and practicing for months,” said Lingaraj Pradhan.