'Yuga Gandharva’ award is presented to Lucky Prajna Pratisthita Mohanty, Saswat Joshi and Pravat Kumar Swain

On the fifteenth death anniversary of the Legendary Odissi Maestro - Pathmasree Guru Pankaj Charan Das, ‘Yuga Gandharva’ award, instituted by 'Guru Pankaj Das Odissi Research Foundation', is presented to Sri Lucky Prajna Pratisthita Mohanty, Sri Saswat Joshi and Sri Pravat Kumar Swain, three high-spirited and effervescent young male dancers. In a function carried out at Bhanja Kala Mandap, Bhubaneswar on 11th June 2018, Padmashree Kumkum Mohanty, Sri Antaryami Mishra and Sri Shantanu Prusty handed over the awards to them. Sri Sarat Das, Director & CEO of the 'Guru Pankaj Das Odissi Research Foundation' was present.

Guru Sri Pankaj Charan Das, the Aadi Guru of Odissi dance, was the one who took Odissi out of the Temples boundaries. He was awarded Pathmasree in 1992 by Govt. of India for his valuable contributions to the artform.

In the performance slot after the award ceremony, Lucky Mohanty presented ‘Saja kanja nayana…’, a poem by Sri B.C. Pujapanda. It was choreographed by Sri. Kumkum Mohanty. Pravat Swain performed Odiya poet Pathmasree Mayadhar Mansingh's 'Bar badhu…' choreographed by Smt. Aruna Mohanty and Saswat Joshi performed ‘Rasa panchaka…’ abhinaya. This is originally composed by Adi Guru Sree Pankaj Charan Das, reoriented by Sri Sarat Das.

Photo Credit of award ceremony : 'Guru Pankaj Das Odissi Research Foundation'

Comments

Traditions alive! Twenty eight day long annual Chakyarkooth presentation

I rinjalakkuda Kootalmaanikya Kshethram in Kerala, is one of the rare Temples that is dedicated to Lord Bharatha, the younger brother of Lord Sree Rama. Every year after the ten day annual temple festival in the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May), twenty eight days long Chakyarkoothu is presented during the month Edavam (May-June). Also, following it, there will be a twelve day long Anguliyaankam Koothu during the month Karkkitakam (July-August). Chakyar-koothu Chakyar-koothu is a refined monologue in which the episodes from Ramayanam and Mahabharatham, two Epics of the Hindu culture, are narrated by a male performer (called as Chakyar) who belongs to the Chakyar community. After a short prayer, he recites a Shloka in Samskritham (Verses in Sanskrit). Then he starts elaborating it in Malayalam. His narration style that entwines the story with the jokes of social or political relevance makes it highly interesting even to the common men. These jokes are mostl...

"Birju Maharaj: The Master Through My Eyes" - Saswati Sen

P resents layers of the Kathak maestro's personality as witnessed by one of his foremost disciples. This book reveals how this icon of Indian dance, who is a mentor for thousands and an inspiration for countless people across the globe, is actually an unassuming, simple person outside his artistic world. Saswati Sen has known Pandit Birju Maharaj for over forty-five years. Gradually, she began to see the divinity in her talented master and decided to write a book on his life and work. Birju Maharaj: The Master Through My Eyes presents layers of the Kathak maestro. Title - Birju Maharaj: The Master Through My Eyes Author - Saswati Sen Publisher - Niyogi Books, 2013 ISBN - 9381523827, 9789381523827 Length - 216 pages Subjects- Biography & Autobiography › Composers & Musicians Buy this Book >>

Infinite Ocean in a Cup! Savour of music from Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh

W ith its vastness and depth beyond the sight, Music is often referred to as 'Anantha Saagaram' ( the Infinite Ocean). "Cup O' Carnatic" by Vidushi Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh, a video series which influenced a lot of viewers, was an effort to handover the flavors of the infinite ocean with the piecemeal approach at the best. "So many people write to me with queries on Veena and Music. Though initially I tried to answer them individually, due to time constraint, it became difficult. So I thought it will be nice to have a public platform to attend such queries so that every one can access it", Dr. Jayanthi explains the path that lead her to the creation of "Cup O' Carnatic". To motivate young rasikas into enjoying and appreciating Carnatic music, the videos are purposely kept to a shorter duration. Apart from its rich content and the effective presentation, what was so special about the series was its short duration. This in-fact had ins...

Celebrating Fifty Years of Guru Narasimhachari's Kalasamarpana Foundation

K alasamarpana Foundation, a notable academy that have been spreading and training the classical art forms, is completing Fifty Golden Years. It was founded by the Artist couples Guru Narasimhachari and Vasanthalakshmi in 1969. The program titled 'Swarnaanjali' will be conducted on 4th August 2019, Sunday at Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai 5.00 PM - 5.45 PM at Lobby - A walk-through gallery showcasing rare photographs of The Narasimhacharis 5.45 p.m. Auditorium opens for seating. 6.00 - 8.00 p.m 'Swarnaanjali' - An offering of Natyam dedicated to Guru Narasimhachari featuring over 100 artistes.

'Namami Shankaram' : A Predestined Hymn in the Soul’s Journey

A girl whose thoughts were filled with classical dance, when grown up, married into the royal family of Maharaja Sri Swathi Thirunal—whose contributions to Mohiniyattam are priceless, and whose lifetime is considered the golden era of Mohiniyattam. She considers it as a blessing. Now, years later, she has again been handpicked by the Almighty to portray the life of Adi Shankaracharya through dance. In this conversation with Gopika Varma, PSB Nambiar Sooryavamsham explores the inspiration, research, and process behind ‘Namami Shankaram’, a Mohiniyattam portrayal of Adi Shankaracharya’s life. A dancer often senses a spark for a new choreography. Can you tell us how ‘Namami Shankaram’ first took shape in your mind? I was invited to perform for Adi Shankara Jayanthi in Indore in March 2017. I was confused about what to perform. One day, I went to my friend Krithika Subramanian’s house for dinner. Her mother-in-law was reading a commentary on Adi Shankaracharya. I asked her f...

Executive Music Therapy Health Check up for the Wandering Monk! - Margazhi 2018

H aving come from Delhi to Chennai Margazhi, i decided to do an executive music therapy and consulted different 'resident doctors', specialists, super specialists etc located in different Sabhas. My music therapy began at Krishna Gana Sabha on 24th December with 'a detailed examination' by Pandit Ronu Majumdar who is arguably the best Lungs and Breath specialist. He decided immediately on 'checking' me that i should first be de-toxicated as I have come from a highly polluted Delhi. He breathed melody of his magic flute for two hours and i felt as if i am surrounded by Air Purifier. At the end of the session he gave me a hug to certify that i am purified. My next visit was to Partha Sarathy Swami Sabha where a Fulbright ( fully bright ) GP by name Sikkil Gurucharan took me right under his nose . I was seated by him in the front row and the session of 150 minutes was rejuvenating. He also took help from a very senior Consul...

WOCUE

Search This Blog