Students of Odisha Dance Academy perform Odissi at the Nrutyambada dance festival in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, May 14: Elaborate dance dramas brought out pure recitals — dancers of the Odisha Dance Academy showcased a wide range of Odissi compositions of various genres during the two-day festival Nrutyamabada.

The annual festival that concluded at Rabindra Mandap last evening marked the academy’s 30th anniversary.

On the valedictory day, the opening item, an invocatory piece as is the tradition with Odissi concerts, showcased on ancient scripture Dipam jyoti param brahma.

The Mangalacharan was followed by Nagaballi Pallavi, a complex choreography wherein a pattern of Odissi steps were weaved into a rhythmical flow. Dhyayenityam, another composition on spirituality, kept the audience engaged.

Various forms of Odissi such as the Batu Nritya and Basanta Pallavi were also performed at the event on the final day. The extensive repertoire of the academy moved on to a folk dance presentation Dhina ta dhina that saw the student artistes matching steps to rural drumbeats. The audience enjoyed the flavour of a different dance style in the Odissi concert.

“It was quite entertaining to watch a folk-style dance sequence. Especially since the young artistes of the institute are so adept in their movements, the group performance was really impressive,” said Bharati Naik, a viewer.

Naba Durga that features the nine distinct moods of Goddess Durga was also well performed by the dancers of the academy. Two Odissi enactment were based on Krishna — Shreeta kamala kucha mandala, an abhinaya based on a Gita Govinda describing the beautiful appearance of Krishna, and an exquisite dance drama Shree Krushna Rasa Leela were the highlights of the evening.

The opening day also showcased a wide repertoire. The performances included Mohana Pallavi, sthayee nrutya, Shankaravaran Pallavi, shravana, gati, abhinayas, Aravi Pallavi, Dashabatara and Odissi dance drama Baula.

“Every year during Nrutyambada, all students get a chance to perform on stage in front of dance lovers of the city. It is our annual festival to mark the foundation day. Our revered guru Gangadhar Pradhan founded the academy in 1975, and we follow his footsteps in propagating Odissi dance,” said Aruna Mohanty, who heads the city-based institute.