Soak in Odissi culture

Orissa Cultural Association, Bangalore, is organising an Odissi Evening at the Chowdiah Memorial Hall on July 4 at 7 pm. The programme will showcase both Odissi music as well as dance. The highlight of the evening will be the dance recital of Sujata Mohapatra, the daughter-in-law and  disciple of late Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra. Sujata is among the most loved Odissi performers, admired for the way she combines technical finesse with passionate personal expressions.

Along with a full team of live musicians, accompanying her on stage will be her
husband Guru Ratikanat Mohapatra on the pakhwaj. He has also choreographed the show.Odissi music, on the other hand, has its own distinctive appeal, characterised by its mellifluousness and sensuality. Many consider it as the third stream of Indian classical music, along with Hindustani and Carnatic forms. Odissi songs are usually based on the Radha-Krishna love episodes and the mischievous escapades of child Krishna.

Bijay Jena, the head of Odissi vocal at Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya and Nazia Alam, who has recently released a CD set of complete Gita Govinda, will perform in the music segment, showcasing the best of Odissi music.

The duo will sing from the works of Jayadeva as well as other master poets of Odissi such as Upendra Bhanja and Gopalkrushna Das.

Tickets for the show will be available at KC Das (Church Street), Music World (CMH Road), Odyssey R T Nagar, Calypso (Jayanagar) and Jagannath Temple (Sarjapur Road).

Tickets can also be booked online at www.indianstage.in. For details, call 9845042707.