Mohapatra Award fest kicks off

Madhavi Mudgal delighted the audience with 'Mangalacharan Jagannathastakam' set to Rag Malika and Tal Ektali followed by 'Abhinaya Ea Ghana Kalare' written by Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja as the five-day extravaganza opened last night.

She presented Pallavi a pure dance item with sculpturesque poses and lyrical movements. Her concluding number comprised of three Astapadies from Jayadev's Gita Gobinda depicting Radha as the Kalahantarita Nayika.

Madhavi's recital was followed by some enchanting numbers from Hariharan.

The five-day festival would have performances by noted classical dancers and musicians like Kuchipudi dancer Manju Bhargavee, Bharatnatyam exponent Vaijayantimala Bali, Kathak dancer Chitresh Das, Mrudangam and tabla jugalbandi by guru Kaaraikkudi R Mani and Anindo Chatterjee.

The prestigious Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award is scheduled to be presented to renowned gotipua dance exponent Guru Birabara Sahoo and noted theatre personality Ramachandra Pratihari for their outstanding contribution in art on the concluding day of the festival on Sunday.