Tal-Vadya utsav hosted by Mardal Academy inaugurated
Indian music has immensely enriched the world of arts and India is proud of its galaxy of great musicians and variety of music traditions. Governor M.C.Bhandare stated this while inaugurating the 10th annual Tala-Vadya Utsav hosted by Mardal Academy at Rabindra Mandap here. Orissa Tourism, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata and Punjab National Bank supported the event.
The Governor conferred the Tala-Vadya Samman for the year on tabla exponent Umesh Chandra Kar for his significant contribution to the field of percussion music. He further felicitated three veteran percussionists – Harihar Panda (mardal), D.Dhanurdhar Reddy (khol) and Prabhudutta Pradhan (dhol) – on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Commissioner of Culture and Tourism A.K. Tripathy revealed that the Government has initiated steps to introduce the post of professor in mardal at the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya. He further maintained the as part of its responsibility to support and promote arts, Orissa Tourism has been a patron of the unique festival that highlights percussion music of the country.
In his address, Chief Executive of the state-owned Odissi Research Centre and Odissi music exponent Ramahari Das pointed out that mardal maestro Banamali Moharana, the founder of Mardal Academy, has been instrumental in grooming the largest number of mardal exponents besides helping them in having a decent profession as mardal players. Academy's secretary Sachidananda Das presented a report on its activities.
The award presentation ceremony was followed by a pulsating concert of percussion instruments. Members of the Mardal Academy led by its founder-director Guru Banamali Moharana made a group presentation. For the first time, two young girls performed mardal on stage with the group.
It was followed by a captivating solo table recital by Kolkata-based acclaimed young artist Rimpa Siva and the festival concluded with a combined presentation on mardal-khol-dhol by the three veterans who were felicitated during the evening.
Government has initiated steps to introduce post of professor in mardal: Governor Tala-Vadya Samman conferred on tabla exponent Umesh Chandra Kar