Reeta Pattanayak performs at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 18: Melodious chants of ragas Kalyan and Maand echoed from all corners of Rabindra Mandap on Sunday evening as singer Reeta Pattanayak and instrumentalist Biranchi Narayan Pradhani rendered poignant melodies one after the other.

Organisers of the event, Bhubaneswar Music Circle dedicated the evening’s performance to Pandit Markandeya Mahapatra, a noted classical musician. The classical soiree began with singer Reeta’s rendition. She regaled the audience with a beautiful piece Kajra kaise daloon in raga Kalyan.

Starting with an alaap, the singer moved on to bilambit ektal with Bhavana na bhave naina bina shyam. In her next song Barsan lagi badariya sawwan ki based on dhrut taal, the singer’s spontaneity and years of devotion to music reflected beautifully.

Mori dhaani chunariya bheeg gayo another beautiful song in raga Kajri, left the audiences spellbound. But the highlight of the evening was the bhajan Hey gobinda rakha sarana. The relaxed and controlled pace with which the singer switched between the varied notes of the song was fascinating. On harmonium was Meeta Pattnayak and well-known tabla player Tapas Pal gave company to the singer. After Reeta, young violinist Biranchi Narayan Pradhani took over the stage. Biranchi accompanied by Tapas on tabla, presented some of the most soulful musical excerpts from raga Jog and raga Maand.

It did not take long for the nimble violinist to establish a good rapport with his audience within minutes from the start. He ended his musical repertoire with a soulful instrumental of celebrated Rajasthani folk Kesariya balam ayo ri that won immense appreciation from the audience.

“I have been performing for the last 20 years and have spread my music to almost every parts of the country. This is the first time that I played solo and was extremely excited as well as nervous. But I’m thankful to the listeners who encouraged me,” said Pradhani.

Among the guests was veteran music composer Prafulla Kar. The music director was seen encouraging the young artistes with his impromptu words of praise and applauds.