Naman of Odissi brilliance
It's a festival that celebrates the intrinsic dance form and helps preserve its tradition.
Ever since its premiere show in 2010, Naman has become that one show that every eager Odissi-loving Bengalurean awaits every passing year. This Odissi dance Festival has featured legends likes Guru Sangeeta Dash, Guru Aruna Mohanty, Guru Sharmila Biswas, Guru Bijayini Satapathy, Guru Madhavi Mudgal, Guru Surupa Sen, and others. The brains behind this extravaganza of dance is dancer Madhulita Mohapatra who feels that this festival pays rich tribute to great gurus of Odissi dance for their invaluable contributions.
She adds, “Naman is the first and the only classical dance festival in Bengaluru dedicated to Odissi dance, with its beauty, grace, divinity, depth, variety, vastness and richness. The festival is a humble initiative to bring together and showcase varied styles and schools of Odissi dance.”
Apart from her own ensemble Nrityantar Dance Ensemble, they will have three solo dancers performing as well — Bijan Kumar Palai, Shashwati Garai Ghosh and Sujata Mohapatra. On the message she wants to send through this festival she adds, “Traditionally, Odissi was promoted by Maharis (devdasis from Orissa) and Gotipuas (young boy dancers dressed as girls).
These dances are a part of our cultural heritage which needs to be preserved and promoted.” She also goes onto to explain what is in store for dance lovers, “You will get to witness the soft, graceful and lyrical movements of the dancers which are bound to cast a spell on the beholder,” adds Madulita who is proud that this style of dance has gained a spot for itself in a city that was only accustomed to styles like Bharatanatyam.
Shashwati Garai Ghosh who is quite well known in Kolkata will be performing two solo pieces by her guru Sharmila Biswas. She adds,“The first one will be a Shiv-Paravati Shabda and also Maya Manav that talks about the eternal quest of humans, and is inspired by the Ramayana. It talks about both the man and the illusion.” Paridhi Joshi who is a part of Nrityantar Dance Ensemble speaks about her role, “We will be performing a new composition from Madulita Didi which is called Ishwari an ode to the devis. It is an interesting piece because it’s got fresh choreography and compositions. They are different kinds of elements of music which have been incorporated into it. I will be portraying the part of Durgeshwari.” Every year, Naman sees packed and overflowing halls.
This festival will take place on on August 12 at ADA Rangamandira.