Ramahari Das and Sangita Panda perform at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 30: A downpour of romantic monsoon songs gave the perfect closure to the three-day Barsha festival that concluded yesterday evening.

Renowned vocalists of the state presented a wide range of songs based on rains. A mix of classical and light vocal renditions made the event enjoyable for the audience.

Odissi music guru Ramahari Das rendered some memorable compositions such as Kishori barasa naache that had romanced nature’s beauty during the monsoon. The veteran exponent’s poignant rendition was Barasare mati bhije penned by Brundaban Jena. His performance was followed by Sangita Panda’s recital.

Sangita regaled the listeners with compositions such as Srabani o srabani luha aau jharana and Aama milana madhura aasara. She also presented Haye e barasa. The singer, who resides in Mumbai for most part of the year, was glad to be singing at frequent events in her hometown.

Another veteran musician Laxmikant Palit let the audience enjoy some classics such as Asadhara prathama dibase written by the legendary musician, singer and writer Akshay Mohanty that celebrate the splendour of rains.

Palit also rendered Mayuri go tuma akase with a romantic fervour.

Nazia Alam, the bright young vocalist from the city, enchanted the crowd with soulful melodies of love and longing set with a backdrop of rain. Alasa rati lage bhari eka eka and Aaji mun srabanihad already won her appreciation from the audience, while Barsa barsa barsa added poetry and romance to the musical evening’s ambience.

Senior artiste Bijay Jena gave the audience an opportunity to enjoy a song composed by the legendary Raghunath Panigrahi.

Jena’s recital of Ketaki go earned him a loud round of applause.

“We got a chance to listen to some of the most beautiful songs dedicated to various moods of monsoons. It was a wonderful evening celebrating the Odia compositions,” said Ankita Das, a viewer.

The Barsha festival, organised by Chinta O Chetana, celebrated its 33rd edition this year. The festival conducted at Rabindra Mandap saw remarkable performances in music and dance.

“We are glad that the festival has received appreciation from audience. It was good to see the auditorium packed to the full on all the three days,” said festival director Ratikant Mohapatra.