Artistes perform Odissi in Rourkela. Picture by Uttam Kumar Pal

Rourkela, Feb. 6: A group violin recital followed by an Odissi dance performance and a bhajan antakshyari enthralled classical dance and music lovers in the city.

On the occasion of its 21st annual function, the programme was organised by the Sangeet Shilpi Samaj, an organisation patronising classical dance and music. It was held on the premises of the Jagannath temple on Tuesday.

An organiser said Odissi was a very integral part of Jagannath culture and had hailed from the Mahari dance of Devadasis — which had been a part of the rituals performed for the deity.

Secretary of the organisation Sharat Dhan said that through dance and songs on devotional themes the organisation was trying to create a spiritual ambience.

“We have been organising this programme for the past 20 years. We patronise the classical forms of dance and music, mostly Odissi. The sole motive of organising the programme on the Jagannath temple premises is its linkage with Jagannath culture. Besides, we believe these forms of performing arts must be given platform to spread,” he said.

On the occasion, the organisers also felicitated two eminent artistes in this filed. “Like every year, this time, we felicitated musicians Guru Purnachandra Swain of Sambalpur and Guru Nimakant Routray of Bhubaneswar with Bagdevi Samman-2014,” said Prafulla Mangal, joint secretary of the organisation.

Additional district magistrate, Rourkela, R.N. Mishra praised the organisation for celebrating their programmes in a traditional way presenting performances before Lord Jagannath.

The evening started with a group performance of violin, which garnered a lot of applause. Guru Banshidhar Bahalia directed the recital. Later, girls of Shree Shree Academy of Arts presented an Odissi dance performance, directed by Smita Pani. The recital captivated the audience. The star attraction of the evening was a traditional bhajan antakshyari, which enthralled the audience.