New Delhi (Odisha Tazanews) :- Delhi’s premier Performing Arts Institution Odissi Kendra, Delhi hosted its 49th Anniversary celebration with much pomp and massive fanfare.The Ceremony venue Alliance Francaise De Delhi at Lodhi Estate in New Delhi was elegantly decked up befitting to the grand occasion.The colourful cultural jamboorie witnessed prolific performances by artists of Odissi Kendra belonging to kids,teens,young and established categories.
The items of the evening in Odissi style were brilliantly choreographed and skilfully presented under the supervision of the programme Director Guru Sushree Kalyani Behera. Odissi Kendra, Delhi was established by Internationally renowned Odissi Guru Late Shri Hare Krishna Behera in the year 1977. Guru Shri Behera has the credit of being the first Odissi teacher to bring odissi dance out from the confines of Odisha to National Capital in the early sixties.
Prominent disciples of Guru Shri Behera who have had earned name and fame globally include Dr Sonal Mansingh, Madhavi Mudgal, Radha Reddy, Kumkum Lal, Yamini Krishnamurthy, Alpana Nayak, Chitra Jagdeesan and Kavita Dwibedi. Guru Shri Behera’s illustrious wife Padmawati Behera has now been carrying forward his golden legacies as President of Odissi Kendra Delhi.
49th Annual day Ceremony commenced with the lighting of ceremonial lamp by the President of Odissi Kendra Padmawati Behera, Secretary Amita Arora and Invited guests. Addressing the gathering Chief Guest Renowned Painter and Central Lalit Kala Akademi Awardee Rajesh Bahl lauded the sterling contributions and pioneering role of late lamented Guru Shri Hare Krishna Behera to introduce and popularise Odissi dance in the National Capital region almost six decades back.
Odissi Kendra has been rendering Yeomen services in promoting and propagating Odisha’s incredible art, culture and heritage in Delhi and NCR , Shri Bahl added. The scintillating and spectacular classical extravaganza began with invocatory item entitled Namaskriya and Guru Shlokas by the elementary students of Odissi Kendra.The artistic articulations on the stage by little angels were a sheer visual delight.
This was followed by Mangalacharan entitled Devi Stuti .The other items like Battu Nritta and Mohana Pallavi depicted electrifying footworks and magnificent body movements by exceptionally talented dancers and had a magical spell on spectators.The spotlight shifted next to the superbly spirited and soul stirring presentation of Abhinaya piece “ Shrita Kamala ” by the senior disciples of Guru Sushree Kalyani Behera.
The highlight of the cultural evening was Hindi Song “Shri Ram Chandra Kripalu Bhajaman” composed by Guru Harekrishna Behera in eighties and magnificently performed solo by Khushi Pawar.The audiences were thoroughly moved by Khushi’s astounding facial expressions and outstanding physical manoeuvrings. The programme continued with the presentation of more captivating choreography like Basant Pallavi.
Each item of the Annual function was a creative masterpiece and was welcomed by the packed auditorium with thunderous applause by the viewers. Both the discriminating culture critics and common art lovers described the programme as a massive success and showered huge praises on the participating artists and Guru Sushree Kalyani Behera.
The performing artists of the evening in senior category were Khushi Pawar, Teesta Guha Ganguly, Shreeya Singh, Pragyanjali Singh, Sanskriti Jha, Akashlina Majee and in junior category were Payal Sarangi, Shrine Ghatak Jha, Srinika Datta, Kashvi Sharma,Pavika Arora, beginners are Mimansa Bhosale Pati, Aashwika Saini, Aadwika Saini and Vaanya Gupta.
The accompanying instrumentalists were Prafulla Kumar Mangaraj on Mardal, Prashanta Kumar Behera on Vocal, Gopinath Swain on Violin, Nikhil Kumar Behera on Flute and Guru Sushree Kalyani Behera on Manjira.Ace Anchor Babita Parida Conducted the entire programme in a smooth and seamless manner. The Ceremony was supported by Alliance Francaise De Delhi, JNU Faculty Centre, All Members of Odissi Kendra, Sadhna School of Arts – Gurgaon,Jagannath Printing Press and Parents of the students.
