The best and brilliant come together

The millennium city of Cuttack - that was the cradle of culture for centuries - has ceased to be the cultural capital of Odisha following the focus shifting to Bhubaneswar. However, thanks to the commitment of a few cultural institutions of Cuttack that the ancient city’s annual cultural calendar has still a silver line over the dark cloud. One such institution has been Odissi dancer Meera Das’ Gunjan Dance Acacemy that hosts an annual dance and music festival for the past 15 years.The just concluded two-day festival at Shahid Bhawan was a treat for the connoisseurs showcasing some of the best and brilliant artistes and troupes from across India. The inaugural evening - exclusive to Odissi – had premiere of Meera’s latest choreography Krishna Kathamruta by the tiny tots of her institution. It was followed by a neat duet presentation of Ardhanariswara by the real-life dancing couple Manoranjan-Minati Pradhan from Bhubaneswar. Finally, the junior members of Srjan troupe led by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra regaled. Ratikant and Rajashri Praharaj staged the captivating choreographic composition Jatayu Mokshya.The concluding evening offered more variety and excitement with the confluence of the dance and music traditions of Odissi, Hindustani and Carnatic. While Meera Das presented a solo recital, along with her two disciples she staged a jugalbandi with New Delhi-based Kathak dancer Anjana Jha and her disciples set to the beats of the percussion instruments of Odissi Mardal and Tavil, the indigenous Carnatic instrument that is considered auspicious and a must for all weddings and religious rituals across South India. The jugalbandi between Tavil exponent Karunamoorthy and two Nadaswaram artistes added further excitement.