The third evening of the International Odissi Dance Festival featured a deeply evocative and spiritually charged performance by renowned Odissi dancer Guru Sangeeta Dash. She vividly illustrated the childhood of Lord Shri Krishna through her graceful and expressive rendition.
Performing the Odissi abhinaya “Kede Chhanda Jaane Lo Sahi,” Guru Sangeeta Dash narrated episodes from Lord Krishna’s balya leela, including Putana Badh, Govardhan Dharan, Kaliya Dalan, and the tender vatsalya bhava of Mother Yashoda. Her nuanced expressions and mastery of Odissi grammar created a devotional atmosphere at Rabindra Mandap, leaving the audience immersed in bhakti and spiritual bliss.
After the performance, Guru Sangeeta Dash remarked that the childhood leelas of Lord Krishna eternally immerse devotees in devotion, and presenting these divine episodes was a significant honor for her, made possible by the blessings of the Lord.
The evening began with a group Odissi Mangalacharan, “Niladrau Shankha Madhe Shatadala Kamale,” presented by artistes from the Godamaker Institution. This was followed by a series of captivating solo and duet performances, including Ishani Mishra’s abhinaya “Radharani Sange Nache Murali Pani,” Himani Sarathi’s “Saveri Pallavi,” Subhashree Subhasmita Mahapatra’s “Darbari Pallavi,” and duet presentations by Tejaswini Barik and Rishita Patra. Group performances like “Dasha Mahavidya” by artistes of Sri Vidya Sangeet and Kala Pratisthan added grandeur to the program.
The afternoon session featured performers from the Mumbai-based Smitalaya presenting “Durgastuti,” followed by notable performances such as “Shivashtaka,” “Ashtapadi,” “Chhayapat Pallavi,” and “Bilohari Pallavi” by dancers from various parts of India and abroad, including Germany. The session concluded with a powerful group presentation of “Shiv Tandav” by the Kalpadeep Institution.
In the evening session, solo and duet performances by Sridatta Bhola, Anjali Dash, Lopamudra Sahu, and others captivated the audience, while artistes from the Adyasha Foundation wrapped up the program with a group Odissi performance.
Distinguished guests in attendance included eminent Odissi Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, noted danseuse Guru Ileana Citaristi, and the Administrative Officer of the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre, Smt. Suchismita Mantri.
The International Odissi Dance Festival is being held at Rabindra Mandap from December 26th to 30th, with nearly 350 Odissi dancers from India and abroad, celebrating the global reach and timeless legacy of Odissi dance.
