OdishaPlus Bureau
Srjan, a premier cultural organisation is all set to organise the 26th OMC Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival from September 5th to 9th on digital platforms, Facebook Live and YouTube, owing to the exigencies of the ongoing pandemic.
Srjan has dedicated this year’s festival in memory of the late Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj, whose shared a special and close association with Guruji for many decades. The festival has been designed with an eye on the most suitable combination of artistes and genre, with presentations by world-renowned artists.
The Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award 2020 will be presented to Raj Gopal Mishra, veteran cinematographer for his invaluable contribution and lifetime achievements in the world of Odia Cinema. The Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Pratibha Samman will be presented to Pravat Kumar Swain for Odissi dance and to Himansu Sekhar Swain for Odissi music acknowledging their dedication to their art forms. The Awards will be given by His Excellency Prof.Ganeshi Lal, Hon’ble Governor of Odisha.
The event will be inaugurated by the eminent cine actress Hema Malini and attended virtually by several dignitaries, influential citizens, and luminaries from the world of Art.
The dance presentations include Odissi by Smt. Madhusmita Mohanty, Bharatanatyam by Shri Praveen Kumar, Kathak by Smt. Gauri Diwakar, and Vilasini Natyam by Smt. Purvadhanashree. The inaugural evening will feature eminent Hindustani musician, Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. Guru Dhaneswar Swain, distinguished Mardala guru and performer, and Abhishek Raghuram, acclaimed Carnatic vocalist will perform on the second and third evenings respectively, while Tarun Bhattacharya, the renowned Santoor player, will perform on the fourth evening. The concluding evening will feature the prestigious Award ceremony, followed by the much‐awaited finale by the Srjan ensemble.
This year, Srjan will present Anweshanaa—A bouquet of neo‐classical choreography in Odissi dance, conceptualized and choreographed by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra. Beginning with an invocation to Lord Rama, Antara Rama, Anweshanaa it explores the intricacies of neo‐classical Odissi compositions with dances such as Tarana, and Rase Harim Eha. These presentations are followed by an obeisance to Lord Rama, with Sant Tulsidas’ bhajan, Shri Ramachandra Krupalu Bhajamana, and conclude with the premiere of Chandrachooda Shiva Shankara, in veneration to Lord Shiva.