Bhubaneswar, May 13: Eminent Odissi musicians and dancers paid a rich tribute to violin maestro, Pandit Bhubaneswar Mishra at a concert titled Shradhanjali. He is best remembered for giving Odissi music a strong foundation. Held at the Rabindra Mandap on Thursday, the event, which was organised by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre, was an ensemble of compositions created by Pandit Mishra.
Vocalist Sangita Gosain hosted the show. She gave vivid pictures of Pandit Mishra’s life. “Just like we believe Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra to be the father of Odissi dance, we regard Pandit Mishra as the mother of Odissi music,” she said.
A symphony of violinists, led by Sunil Singh Mahanta, rendered an array of ragas at the beginning of the event. Raga Sudha bilakar, Charukeshi, Basanta mukhari and pahad dhun were performed by the violinists.
Then it was the turn of eminent Odissi vocalists Mitali Chinara and Guru Bijoy Jena to present Pandit Mishra’s compositions. The emotional tunes for the celebrated Geeta Govinda verses set by the late musician were recited soulfully, in solo renditions, by the singers. While Chinara cast a spell on the music lovers of the city with her rendition of Kuru Jadu Nandana, Jena enchanted them with a moving recital of Dheera Sameere Yamuna Teere.
Next was the turn of Odissi dancers. They danced to the tunes of some of the most admired compositions of the legendary musician. The child dancers of the evening dance school of Odissi Research Centre presented an impressive Mangalacharan. Later, the young artistes performed the Chandana Charchita vibrantly.
Pandit Mishra’s famous pallavi (a pure dance segment of Odissi), the Shankarabharan Pallavi, was beautifully presented by the artistes of danseuse Meera Das’ Gunjan Dance Academy. Das herself also paid her tribute to the Odissi music maestro by coming up with an enthralling performance of the abhinaya Keri Mathana Mudaram. She illustrated Radha’s anxiety to meet Lord Krishna with a series of moving facial gestures. Gentle movements and fine expressions made the performance remarkable. Odissi dance aficionados enjoyed the performance.
“It was a touching performance. The dancer beautifully transformed her expressions from showing how Radha tiptoed to meet Krishna on the sly and how she was delighted for the meeting. She also played Krishna with great ease,” said Asit Patnaik, a viewer. Das’ disciples also performed on her choreography, Mokshya, to conclude the concert.
