The sixth evening of the 25th OMC Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival was inaugurated by eminent author Dr Prativa Ray, eminent Mardala player and percussionist Dhaneswar Swain, Director, Srjan, Ratikant Mohapatra.

In a special presentation, an evening of Odishi music by celebrated Odishi vocalist Bijay Kumar Jena was the first recital, accompanied by eminent musicians of Odisha, Satchidananda Das on the Mardala, Srinibas Satpathy on the flute, Balakrushna Jena on the harmonium and Sitakanta Jena on the Manjira.

Highlighting the nuances and various facets unique to Odishi music, Bijay Kumar Jena’s recital began with a Prabandh in Raag Behag and Jati Taal, Prana dhana prana rakha dharuchi to paniki composed by eminent Odia poet Banamali. This was followed by another Prabandh in Raag Marwa and Ektaali, Barada bdhure ana composed by poet Benudhar.

Before their concluding presentation, they presented a Janana, He Narayana written by Abhirama Paramahansa set to Raag Vajrakanti and Rupak Taal, in six beats. Their concluding piece was a composition by Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanja in Raag Bhairavi and Ektaali.

Following this, Nrutyashala, led by Ashok Kumar Ghos, presented the production Mun, the Immortal Devil. Based on the theme of pride, ego, and vanity of man, the presentation depicted well known mythological stories from three yugas before moving on to the present.

 Scripted by Nabakishore Mishra and set to the music composition of Himanshu Sekhar Swain, and the rhythm composition of Dhaneswar Swain and Ajay Kumar, the dance choreography for this presentation was by Ashok Kumar Ghosal. The dancers were praiseworthy in their stage presence and expressions. 

The concluding presentation for the evening was Jagannath Gopinath by Durga Charan Ranbir’s Nrutyayan ensemble. In this choreograph, a parallel has been drawn between the earlier form of Lord Krishna in Dwapara Yuga, and the rituals of Lord Jagannath at Puri. The composition has its literary base in multiple ancient texts including the Skanda Purana, Bhagavata by Atibadi Jagannath Das, and the poetry of Goura Charan Adhikara and Banamali Das. Set to Raga Malika and Talamalika, the script for this presentation has been written by Kedar Mishra, rhythm composition was by Dhaneswar Swain and the dance choreography was by Durga Charan Ranbir.