Ramahari Das performs at a cultural evening in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, May 6: Dedicating three decades to the promotion and popularisation of Odissi music, vocalist and composer Ramahari Das is considered one of the most noted names in the field today. The eminent artiste, who is also a teacher and an administrator, continues his struggle to earn the classical tag for Odissi music.

Juggling between performing and composing for numerous programmes throughout the country and abroad, teaching music at the city-based Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya and running the Odissi Research Centre as the chief executive of the institution, Das ensures he finds time for his campaign to get Odissi the recognition as a classical form of Indian music.

Groomed in the nuances of musical notes by the legendary Balakrushna Dash and guided by bhajan singer Bhikari Bal, the veteran musician feels it is time that Odissi music gets its due recognition.

“There is no apex body in the country that is assigned with the duty of conferring classical status on musical or dance forms. Since Hindustani music accompanying Kathak and Carnatic music on which Bharatnatyam is performed are considered classical, Odissi music on which Odissi classical dance is performed should obviously be considered classical,” said Das.

“It is the musicians from Odisha who need to assert that Odissi is classical,” says Das.

“When we have a well-defined and unique system of ragas and talas in Odissi, it is the duty of musicians to assert that ours is a classical form of music. It will be significant in the development of our music system once it gets the classical tag,” he said.

Talking about the interest in the younger generation in listening to and learning Odissi music, Das is positive about the popularity of the music form.

“The love for pure Odissi music among today’s generation is evident through the huge footfall that can be seen at almost every music concert we organise. Many musicians are continuing their efforts by training more and more youngsters in this form. Of course, gone are the days when elders in every Odia family used to recite ancient devotional poems in the Chhanda and Champu patterns of traditional Odissi,” he said.

Das, along with many other senior artistes, will be seen organising a number of Odissi music concerts in the coming months to promote the state’s ancient music form.