Upasaraṇam by Sṛjan—Where Odissi dance and bright young dreams take centre stage

Bhubaneswar, May 18:Sṛjan—Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Nrityabasa has always strived to excel in training, creativity, performance, and excellence in the world of classical Odissi since its institution in 1993. Upasaraṇam—moving towards excellence is the annual showcase of Sṛjan’s ever vital training wing. This year, Sṛjan organised Upasaraṇam 2025 on May 18 at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar. The proceedings commenced punctually at 7 pm with Dr. Mrutyunjaya Rath ably compering the evening with his eloquence and professionalism.

Esteemed guests for the evening Shri Abanikant Das, celebrated musician and percussionist; Shri Sarat Das, Director, Guru Pankaj Charan Odissi Research Foundation; Shri Rabishankar Pradhan, renowned Sitar player; and Shri Kedar Mishra, eminent Odia journalist, poet, and writer, along with Shri Ratikant Mohapatra, Director, Sṛjan and Dean, Faculty of Arts, Communication and Indic Studies, Sri Sri University commenced the evening with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, after which 75 talented and promising young dancers shone bright on stage, presenting dance compositions ofboth the late Odissi legend and founder of Sṛjan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and of visionarydirector Shri Ratikant Mohapatra.

The first presentation was the divine shloka, Niladrou Sankha-Madhye(JagannathaVandana) a prayer that takes us to the seat of the Almighty with the refrain, BrahmadaruSmarami, an invocation to the source of all our effulgence, Lord Jagannath. For the ardent devotee, the blessings of Lord Jagannath are the greatest blessings of all. With the music composition of Shri Rupak Kumar Parida and original choreography of Shri Ratikant Mohapatra, the renewed group composition by talented Sṛjan ensemble member Daina Ghose was presented by dancers Aaradhya, Aayesha, Bidya Bharati, Laranya, Manasmita, Sadhna Sonalika, Sai Samparna, Sai Swastika, Shreya Sangitra, Shreyashree, and Swastika with commendable stage presence.

This was followed by yet another powerful shloka, ShantakaramBhujagashayanamfrom the Vishnu Sahasranamam (Vishnu Vandana) in obeisance to Lord Vishnu. The captivating original choreography of Shri Ratikant Mohapatra set to the music composition and intensely evocative vocals of Dr. Bijaya Kumar Jena was redesigned in a group composition by Sanjaya Kumar Behera, senior Sṛjan ensemble member. The young dancersAaprodha, Barnali, Bidisha, Chitra, Gargi, Lokosmita, Om Priya, S Goutami, Saatwika, Samridhi, Sanchita, Smruti, Srirupa, Swati, Varnalipresented the group composition with a maturity beyond their young years.

The auditorium then resonated to the spiritual notes of the all-pervasive shloka Vakratunda Mahakaya, set to the great flautist Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia’s music composition. Dancers Adyashri, Akshita, Anushka, Anvika, Deepanwita, Ritisha, Saanvi, Sanvi Swastika, and Tejaswini paid their obeisance to Lord Vinayaka, the remover of all obstacles, with good poise and group formations. The original choreography of Shri Ratikant Mohapatra was set in a renewed group composition for the evening by versatile senior Sṛjan ensemble member, Aishwariya Singhdev.

In a rare opportunity, the audience witnessed the performance of Gatibheda Pallavi, a timeless choreography of Guru Shri Kelucharan Mohapatra set to Pt. Bhubaneswar Mishra’s music composition. This Pallavi, composed first in the year 1968, is known for its intricate tala(rhythm) patterns, as its various segments test the mettle of the dancer’s grasp of rhythmic understanding. As it transitions through the rhythmic variations, the underlying nagma(melody) of the song remains constant, while varying in tandem with the rhythmic divisions and details. With crisp and clear footwork, strong formations, and admirable endurance, dancers Archisa, Brahmi, Gayatri, Geet, Kavya, Natasha, Pratyasa, Puspanjali, Roshni, Satakshi, Shivangi, Somalin, Susamparna, Tanistha, and Sai Prasad performed this demanding masterpiece choreography of Guruji, renewed in its group format for the evening by Preetisha Mohapatra, gifted senior Sṛjan ensemble member and rising soloist.

After the only Nritta piece for the evening, the presentations continued with strong spirituality and devotional offerings. The penultimate performance for the evening was the presentation of Nagendra Haraya, the transcendent Shri Shiva Panchakshara Stotram regarded to have been composed by the great Adi Shankaracharya. While the original choreography and music composition are by the legendary duo of Guru Shri Kelucharan Mohapatra and Pt. Bhubaneswar Mishra, the renewed group composition for the evening was undertaken by G. Sanjay, dedicated and meticulous Sṛjan ensemble member. Dancers Angel, Bisaka, Chinmayee, Sai Smruti, Shreyangshree, Sreyansi, Shubhangi, Subhalaxmi, Sulagna, Sumera, Swagatika, and Swagat demonstrated each stanza Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya with confidenceand devotion. 

Upasaraṇam2025 concluded with a beautifully energetic and synchronised rendition of the Odia abhinaya, Nachanti Range Sri Hari. This Odia song presents Lord Krishna’s Ananda Tadava, his jubilant dance with the Gopis, as they revel to the beauty of dance and music. Needless to say, the original choreography of Guru Shri Kelucharan Mohapatra and music composition of Pt. Bhubaneswar Mishra evoke the rasa of ecstasy in the viewers. The renewed composition for the evening was by Smt. Rajashri Praharaj, renowned Odissi dancer and senior faculty at Srjan, who is known for her able and meticulous guidance, with attention to detail. Under her training, dancers, Abhisikta, Amrita, Angelina, Dipranwita, Pallishree, Prachi, Priya, Shagun, Shilpa, Shreya, Sruti Jyoshna, Sushree Sangita, and Raj Kumar celebrated this dance piece to its fullest, exuding confidence and energy with every step, showing great promise as budding dancers.

Shri Debiprassad Mishra ensured the seamless execution of the programme from start to finish while he effortlessly illumined the stage and dancers brilliantly with his exceptional light designing. Instituted by Guru Shri Ratikant Mohapatra to nurture and foster young talent within the abode of Odissi at Srjan while cultivating the values of classicism and professionalism in dance and performance in them from a young age, Upasaraṇam2025 was a resounding success, with the faculty, Srjan ensemble members, alumni, senior students, and parents all working to support the students in their journey in Odissi. It further reinforces our belief in Art as a way of life, and how tradition and values can be emulated and treasured over the generations to come.