Dancer Sangeeta Majumdar presents a dance item at Rabindra Mandap. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 18: The Bhubaneswar Music Circle and Indian Council for Cultural Relations organised a concert to pay tributes to legendary duo Raghunath Panigrahi and Odissi dancer Sanjukta Panigrahi at Rabindra Mandap on Sunday. Titled ‘Strings and Steps’, the musical evening showcased solo as well as duet performances by Hawaiian guitarist Neel Ranjan Mukherjee and Kathak dancer Sangita Majumder.

In his Hindustani classical rendition, Mukherjee began with a presentation of the evening raga Maru Bihag on the Hawaiian guitar. Beginning with a soulful alaap, or slow paced introduction phase, he displayed his skills of playing classical music on the western instrument in the jor and dhrut phases, when the rhythm was faster. His performance was based on teen taal cycle of beats.

On the other hand, Sangita performed a dance item based on a hymn praising Shiva and Parvati. In her swift and graceful presentation, Sangita included the major elements of Kathak like tatkar, chakkars, ladi and so on.

The duo then presented a jugalbandi that left the audience mesmerised. Their duet was entertaining as the performance moved from one artiste performing at a time to challenging each other to repeat their short presentations. Artistes Zuheb Ahmed Khan and Nadeem Khan accompanied them on tabla and sitar.

“Both Majumdar and Mukherjee were wonderful on stage,” said Prasant Behera, a viewer. “An understanding of each other’s art is essential in a duet performance and Panigrahi couple were stalwarts in this respect,” said singer and compere for the evening, Mitali Chinara.