Artistes of Srjan perform Odissi on the last day of the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival in Bhubaneswar on Monday. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 12: The Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival concluded on Monday with a striking Odissi dance drama performance from the host troupe Srjan.

Prominent artistes from all over the country presented various classical dance forms and played musical instruments during the five-day festival at Rabindra Mandap.

The artistes of Srjan presented Gitamruta from the Bhagavad Gita. The multi-layered choreography was proof of Srjan’s expertise. Ratikanta Mohapatra blended expressions, steps and movements to present the spiritual discourse amid the war scene and. The music for the event was composed by Raghunath Panigrahi, Bhubaneswar Mishra and Satyabrata Katha.

On the previous days too there were a series of memorable performances. Well-known Kathak artiste Deepak Maharaj, son of the Birju Maharaj, performed on Friday evening. He captured the essence of the celestial bond between male and female divinity in Ardhaniariswar depicting Shiv and Parvati’s oneness.

Singer Ulhas Kashalkar presented Bilambita Tiliwada in Rag Behag followed by bandish Kise Bijari Chamka set to Rag Kafi. He concluded with a traditional tarana, leaving music lovers asking for more. Suresh Talwalkar accompanied him on the tabla.

On Saturday, flautist Ronu Majumdar gave a fusion music performance.

Sunday saw Rama Vaidyanathan bring the soul of nature alive through her Bharatnatyam performance. The finesse in the dancer’s movements during her recital Mayur Allaripu was inspiring.

Sitar player Purbayan Chatterjee was accompanied by Anubrata Chatterjee on the tabla. The audience was appreciative of their elaborate repertoire.

On the concluding day, the award named after legendary Odissi guru Kelucharan Mohapatra was conferred on Odissi dance veteran Shankar Behera and well-known Odissi vocalist Ghanshyam Panda.