Event Details

An NCPA Presentation

Sublime, Serene & Soulful – Odissi by Meera Das and Gunjan dance Academy

Meera Das is one of the most distinguished Odissi dancers of the present era, characterized by her unique recitals that are a poetry in motion, and laced with her outstanding improvisations whilst retaining the purity of the classical dance form. She received her initial training from Guru Gangadhar Nayak and mastered the acrobatic form of Odissi dance, Bandha Nrutya. A disciple of the illustrious Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Meera learnt the art of expression, graceful movements and intricacies of dance from Guruji. With a view to popularizing the dance form and educate and train students in the purest form of Odissi, Meera started Gunjan Dance Academy in Cuttack. For almost two decades her academy has been performing the world over and has attracted overseas students who have become the torch bearers of Odissi in their respective countries. A student of philosophy, Meera is also a successful music composer and vocalist.

The Odissi presentation comprises of three items – Puspanjali, invoking the blessing of Lord Jagannath for an auspicious beginning to the performance; Moods of Rhythm, exploring the styles and patterns of the mardala; Sei Ramani, celebrating the spirit of womanhood. The presentations are based on poems by Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Senapati, and poets Ramakant Rath and Kedar Mishra.

Upalabdhi – Kathak by Sandip Mallick and troupe

Sandip Mallick, an internationally acclaimed Kathak exponent, has worked as a visiting faculty (Guru) at Kathak Kendra, New Delhi. Sandip has trained in Kathak under the tutelage of Smt. Srilekha Mukherjee. He also received extensive training from Pt. Birju Maharaji, Pt. Ram Mohan Mishra, Pt. Chitresh Das, Guru Bela Arnab, Guru Bandana Sen, Smt. Saswati Sen, and Pt. Vijai Shankar, all luminaries in Indian classical dance scenario. He has been undergoing practice with Pt. Kumar Bose on tabla since 1997. A master’s in arts from the Rabindra Bharati University, Sandip is an ‘A’ grade artiste of Doordarshan, empanelled artiste of ICCR, and a fellowship holder of the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India. He is a regular performer in various prestigious festival like Khajuraho, Chidambaram, Konark, Kathak Mahotsav, SNA Swarna Samaro, and Udayshankar to name a few. In 1993, Sandip established his institution ‘Nadam’ in Kolkata and has conducted kathak workshop in different parts of India and the UK, Canada, Singapore, Czech Republic, Italy, and Germany.

Upalabdhi is a solo presentation following the storytelling format of Kathak dance. The presentation showcases the reflections of life, connection between body, mind, and soul and eventual surrender to the Guru who shows the path to salvation.

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