By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: The Fifteenth International Chausathi Yogini Festival was recently hosted by Nrutya Prativa with pomp and splendour. The Art lovers and connoisseurs experienced the magic and mesmerism of Odissi Dance, Odisha’s Folk Dance and devotional music during the spectacular mega cultural extravaganza at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar.
The Distinguished Guests of the evening Speaker of Odisha Legislative Assembly Dr Surjya Narayan Patra, Former M.P. Prasanna Kumar Patasani, Eminent Sculptor Sudarshan Sahoo, Chairman of world Odisha Society Kishore Dwibedi, Senior Engineer Bipin Kumar Nayak and Director of Ardent Steel Dr Subhashis Das lauded the role of the Chief Organiser of the massive Event and noted Odissi exponent Prativa Panda for her huge contributions in promoting this Festival Worldwide. They wished further success of her noble endeavours.
The major attraction of the cultural programme was scintillating and soul soothing Bhajan and Ghazal recitals by Padmashri Anup Jalota and his disciple Kanchan Kiran Mishra. Shri Jalota received coveted Chausathi Yogini Sangeet Samman for his lifetime musical contributions. Among other Awardees Odissi Guru Gajendra Panda was conferred Chausathi Yogini Nrutya Samman, Theatre Veteran Subodh Patnaik received Chausathi Yogini Natya Samman, Famous Painter Subrat Mallick was presented Chausathi Yogini Chitrakala Samman, Renowned Litterateur Dr Padmaj Pal was conferred Chausathi Yogini Sahitya Samman and upcoming talented writer Suman Dash received Chausathi Yogini Yuba Sahitya Samman during the occasion.
The other highlights of the Arts Jamboori include Group Odissi Dance Presentations by Pragnya Nrutyayan and Nrutya Prativa, Gotipua Dance Performance by the artistes of Aradhana Dance academy under the tutelage of Guru Chitrasen Swain and Solo Odissi Dance by Guru Gajendra Panda. The climax of the creative excellence came within the outstanding and exceptional articulation of Nabarasa through her superb Abhinaya by the superstar of the show Guru Smt Prativa Panda.
Two Books entitled “The Yogini Poems: Love and Life” and “The Yoginis of Ranipur Jharial: Tantric Goddesses of Yore” written by Literary Luminary Dr Adyasha Das were released by Guests.
The ace anchors Dr Srinibash Ghatuary and Ms Soma Mohapatra conducted and co –ordinated the entire proceedings smoothly and seamlessly.
The Technical support was extended by Nalini Nihar Nayak for Auditorium illumination and Smrutikanta Rout for stage visualisation. The prominent personalities present include President of Nrutya Prativa Dr Rajani Ranjan Dash, Nishikant Mishra, Manmohan Panda, Prem Nepak, Debarshi Mallick, Subhakanta Padhi and Anurag Sahoo.
