The Odissi performance of Madhulita Mohapatra, was featured by the SPIC Macay, North Kerala Chapter, at the Amritavidyalaya Institute campus.
A recipient of the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar award from the Sangeet Natak Academi and the Kempegowda Award from the Karnataka State, Madhulita’s potential came to the fore in her recital. The dancer was quick to establish a rapport with the students in the audience and introduced them to the two main postures — Tribhangi and Chauka — the basic steps to be followed in the Odissi choreography. The dance may be well-grounded like Bharatanatyam but it has its own subtlety. Inviting them on to the stage, Madhulita briefed and demonstrated to them the chauka and torso movements, besides giving an equal emphasis on sensitive facial expression in abhinaya with pure dancing.
In praise of Durga
In the first number she played a song in praise of Goddess Durga ‘Dhyayeth Suvarna Varna,’ highlighting the radiance of the deity through the soft and graceful movements of her neck and eyes. ‘Janasammohini Pallavi’ choreographed by her was high on lyrical beauty. It also brought out the rhythmic beauty of the syllables in the Pallavi. Through brisk movements and graceful postures, Madhulita was able to convey Devi’s various aspects.
The final item, Madhurashtakam of Sri Vallabhacharya, was a classic description of the quips and pranks of the young Krishna (Bala leelas) like stealing the clothes of the gopis while bathing, stealing butter in the company of his mates and the slaying of Kalia, the serpent. As she navigated through the expressive segments of the abhinaya pieces, the viewers too were transported to the higher realms with equal devotion. Her interaction with the audience on how to control the mind as a therapy to raise one’s confidence level through dance brought out the role of fine arts in bringing solace to human beings in times of stress.
Madhulita’s orchestra included Rajesh Lenka (vocal), Sowbhagya arayan Chhotray (mardala) and Rudra P. Parida (flute).
