(From top) A folk dancer in traditional attire; artistes perform a folk dance, Keshab Rout sings an Odissi song and Bijay Jena performs during the Baisakhi Festival in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, April 18: The third day of the Baisakhi festival presented by Chinta-O-Chetna was filled with captivating dance and music recitals performed by gurus of the classical art forms.

The evening began with Pahandi, in which the idol of Lord Jagannath was taken to the stage as artistes of Sahijata Sanskrutika Sanasada performed folk dances.

Padmashree awardee Ileana Citaristi then presented a graceful Shivanabarasa. The recital was composed by Kelucharan Mohapatra with music by Bhubaneswar Mishra.

The composition depicted the nine emotions of life — shringara, karuna, hasya, beera, brihascha, bhyanka and roudra. While performing shringarabhaba, Ileana brought to life the epic romance of Lord Shiv and Goddess Parvati.

For hasyarasa, she depicted the mythological tale in which Lord Ganesha defeats Lord Kartik in a battle of wits.

Her concluding performance was Shivatandav — the terrible dance of Lord Shiva when he hears about the death of his beloved.

Vocalist Keshab Chandra Rout’s mellifluous recital followed the dance performance. He was accompanied by Sachidananda Das on mardala.

The audience seemed enraptured by veteran musicians’ music. Rout first performed raag Simendramadhyam on taal jati.

His second piece was “Chaha chaha re bandhu” based on raag Misra Pilu.

The Delhi-based Sattriya dancer, Anwesha Mahanta, performed Ramadana — a purist form of Sattriya that involves intricate steps.

Her flawless footwork, poise and control were a treat for the eyes.

The second act, in which she depicted the heroic deeds of Lord Krishna, was also praiseworthy.

The evening came to a close with one of Odisha’s popular folk dances, Chhau, performed by artistes from Mayurbhanj.

The energetic dance steps combined with catchy footwork were well appreciated by the audience.

The chief guest of the evening, governor of Nagaland Nikhil Kumar, was felicitated on the occasion.

Kumar also gave away prizes to some well-known faces from the field of science, literature, social activism, classical dance, acting and civil services in the state.

“I had been planning a visit to Odisha for several years, but couldn’t make it for various reasons.

“I suppose Lord Jagannath decided this was the best time for me to visit and I feel lucky to have got a taste of the rich Odissi classicals, that too, performed by such eminent artistes of the state,” said Kumar.