An evening of Odissi elegance

DA Rangamandira in Bengaluru witnessed an evening of Odissi performances by three groups.

- TAPATI CHOWDHURIE

It was an aesthetic experience to see the Siya Ram saga, which, though eternal and perceived and performed in different shades by all genres of Indian dance, in traditional form or folk theatre form, one never tires of it.

The epic story of Ram and Sita is vast, and more often than not, episodes are taken from it and presented in performances of great beauty.

In the chosen segment of the Ramayana, the scene is the tranquil yet sorrowful garden of Ashoka Vatika, where a gentle breeze rustles through the leaves, whispering tales of an eternal love.

There sits Sita, the epitome of grace and devotion, held captive by the demon king Ravana.

Her heart, a delicate flower, blooms with memories of her beloved Rama, yearning for his embrace.

She closes her eyes, and her thoughts drift back to the first time their eyes met, a moment that changed their lives forever.

In the story, love and destiny intertwine, and the timeless tale of Sita and Rama unfolds, a beacon of love, faith, and fortitude, exemplifying unwavering commitment, unconditional support, unflinching courage, undaunted valour, unshakable devotion, unfaltering hope, unbreakable resilience, and the unassailable triumph of good over evil.

With invaluable inputs on the script from Ashtavadhani, Ganesh Bhat Koppalatota, and the noted Odia poet, Shri Kedar Mishra; to the music composition of Rupak Kumar Parida in Raag and taal Malika, along with the rhythm composition of Guru Dhaneswar Swain, dance direction and choreography by Madhulita Mohapatra—a Bismillah Khan Awardee—was presented by the Nrityantar Dance Ensemble.

Reshmi Divakaran was in the role of Ram while Madhulita Mohapatra was Sita Lakshmana: Nandhana Sashikumar; Hanuman: Aditi Das; Jatayu: Prishna Sinha; Ravana: Sahana Raghavendra Maiya; Manthara: Dr. Anupama Kumar.

Kaikeyi was Nandhana Sashikumar, while Angeleena Avnee was in the role of Maricha.