Pracheen Kala Kendra , foremost organization , dedicated to Art and Culture organised its 14th Quarterly baithak under the series “Legends of Tomorrow” at Triveni Kala Sangam at 6:30 here today. The programme was studded with eminent artists of repute. Promising Vocalist Anisha Ray and Odissi dance exponent Madhur Gupta amidst applauses for their performances. Secretary of Kendra Sh. Sajal Koser along with Kathak Guru Dr. Shobha Koser with other distinguished guests lit up the traditional lamp.
Anisha Ray is blessed with the rare gift of a melodious voice and musical potential which has been given shape by her Guru and her unflinching practice and dedication. She learnt from Guru Pandit Manas Chakraborty , Sh. Shyam Sunder Das and Pt. Sarathi Chatterjee. She is a B High grade Artist in All India Radio and DD1 and DD National TV channels. She is an empanelled Vocal Classical Artist of ICCR, Govt of India. Anisha has performed in several music festivals.
On other hand Madhur Gupta embodies the refined grace and delicately intricate elegance of the highly lyrical art of Odissi dance. His journey into the transcendental world of classical dance and music began at a fairly early age. Beginning his initial training in Kathak with great gurus like Padma Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj, he was strongly drawn towards Odissi under Guru Madhavi Mudgal. After being trained in the fundamentals by Padma Shri Madhavi Mudgal , Madhur is currently in advanced training under the renowned danseuse, Guru Sharon Lowen in New Delhi. Besides training under his Gurus and being a Graded Artist of Doordarshan, Madhur has also been actively teaching, performing and conducting workshops. He performed in very prestigious festivals all over India.
Musical evening started off with a soulful vocal recital by Anisha Ray. She commenced with Raag Bihag with aalap followed by ek tal bandish “Kaise Sukh se” . Then she moved on to present Madhya laya bandish “Jaagat Di tan lagi” . She doled out with drut bandish “Aali re bela” .She concluded her recital with melodic Bhajan “ Hamare murli wale shyam” amidst applause.
Fine accompaniment provided by Durjay Bhowmik on Tabla and Paromita Mukherjee on Harmonium.
After this soulful performance , Madhur Gupta took the centre stage . He presented ‘Pratibhas- Reflecting Within’ . He commenced with invocatory piece Manikya Veena Mangalacharan in which he offers a traditional invocation to Mother Earth for her support followed by a song in praise of the Goddess of Learning and Music, Saraswati and threefold salutation to God, the Teacher and the distinguished audience.
Then he doled out with technical part of Odissi dance with Jaijaiwanti Pallavi. A Pallavi is a graceful and lyrical form of “pure” or abstract dance in the Odissi repertoire. This item was set to raga Jaijaiwanti opens up with gradual movements, developing and steadily overpowering the senses with intricate patterns created in music and space.
His next rendering was Jhagadi Matra Hela He Shyam- Champu belongs to the genre which is partly prosaic and partly poetic. This particular piece starts its every line with the letter ‘Jha’, hence also is known as ‘Jha Champu’. In this Oriya abhinaya, Lalitha, Radha’s sakhi catches Krishna taking a glimpse of Radha and getting devastated with the thoughts of not being able to be with his beloved. Madhur got outstanding ovation for his graceful moves and expressions.
He wrapped his recital with beautiful Ashtpadi composed by Legendary Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra “Yahi Madhava, Yahi Keshava” . In this abhinaya piece , Radha is waiting for her beloved, Lord Krishna. Having waited all night, she reproaches him when he arrives at dawn after a night’s dalliance, pleading forgiveness. A pained Rahda says, your drowsy red eyes from being awake all night betray the intensity of passion you cherish for that other woman. Go Madhava! Go Keshava! Do not deceive me with your artful words. Madhur presented this piece with his heart touching expressions.
He was ably accompanied by fine team Guru Prafulla Mangaraj on Mardala, Sushri Ketki Singh on Vocal, Sh. Gopinath Swain on Violin, Prashant Mangaraj on Manjira, Sushri Sangya Kaushik Sar on Padant and Lights by Sh. Shonik Sharma.
The artists were felicitated after their respective performances by the Registrar of Pracheen Kala Kendra Dr. Shobha Koser, Secretary of Pracheen Kala Kendra, Sh. Sajal Koser as always offered gratitude towards media, artists and distinguished audience.
