Kolkata-based Sriradha Paul gave an impressive Odissi performance at the open air stage at Shilparamam.
She presented Ahe Nila Sail , an abhinaya number in pure Odissi style. It was verse in Odiya language, penned by a Muslim poet named Salbeg. As he was not allowed to enter the Puri Temple, he visualised the temple as a big blue mountain and drew a picture of God using his imagination. The picture he drew depicted a sequence from ‘Gajendra Moksham’ . Another picture he drew was a sequence from Mahabharata - ‘ Draupadi Vastrapaharanam’. The dancer portrayed the role of Maha Vishnu who came to the rescue of these victims. She also presented Vishnu’s fifth incarnation, ‘Narasimha’, a number choreographed by the late guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. The song ran in Aravi ragam, Triputa talam.
Sriradha then came out with Sankara Varnam Pallavi , the speciality being the domination of footwork adapting some impressive moves in Ek talam.
The other number Sriradha presented was Odiya Abhinaya penned by an unknown poet. It was a dialogue between Krishna and Radha. This was choreographed impressively by another well known guru Bichitrananda Swamin. Music by Bijay kumar Barik kept sustained tempo of the in-built drama. This was set in raga Misra Khamboj and talam Jhula. Trichina postures were a speciality of this dance style.
Sriradha concluded her show with a number on Goddess Durga. This too was choreographed by Kelucharan Mohapatra. The song was set in raga Bhairavi. It was interesting and refreshing show.
