Dear Friends,
The special music recital last night by musicians from Odisha (who will also be the music accompanists for the premiere of Sutra’s Odissi production, Radhe! Radhe!), rose to expectation. The Odia musicians gave Malaysian music aficionados who attended, a special insight to the rarely heard classical music from Odisha.
Principal vocalist, Smt Sangita Panda, mentioned that the Natya Sastra had stated the four streams of music-dance style that existed in ancient India, naming ‘Odra’ as one of the recognised styles. Odra / Utkal / Kalinga were the ancient names for present Odisha.
The four musicians were outstanding and vocalist Shri Satya Brata Katha, who is a rising star in the firmament of Odissi vocal classical music in Odisha, shone in his renditions of rare Odia songs. His rendition of the Gita Govinda (Sritakamala) was exquisite. Sitarist Shri Rabi Shankar Pradhan was scintillating in his interpretation of Rag Bhairavi accompanied by Shri Rama Chandra Behera on Mardal.
Tonight, we will partake in the solo vocal rendering of Smt Sangita Panda, daughter of Pandit Guru Dr Gopal Chandra Panda, the maestro composer and major force behind the revival of the present Odissi classical music.
Shri Jabahar Mistra, disciple of famous flautist, Pandit Ronu Majumdar will now take his turn to present his solo flute rendition.
We are fortunate to be able to experience the art of these accomplished musicians from Odisha. Though one is able to hear them play when rendering the repertory of Radhe! Radhe! the recital was a wonderful opportunity to savour their specialised expertise as a solo artist.
Sutra