Delhi: Bhoomi Pranam 2021 held in Main Auditorium, India International Centre (IIC) Delhi on 21 March 2021 at 6:30 PM by Guru Alpana Nayak & her Senior Disciples. Traditionally an Odissi dance recital starts with Mangalacharana, where the dancer dedicates herself to the Almighty and begs forgiveness from Mother Earth for stamping feet on her. Begs apology from the audience of any shortcomings and pays obeisance and seeks blessings from her Guru. In Mangalacharana, Pihu, the dancer of the evening will begin with a prayer to Goddess Saraswati based on the Sanskrit shloka “Yaa kundendu tushaara haara dhabalaa.....” followed by an Odia song “Ayile Maa Saraswati……...”
Artists: Parpti Gupta, Pihu Shrivastava, Disha Kannan, Yastika Dhawan and
Nerissa Rout
Choreography: Guru Smt. Alpana Nayak Music Composition: Shri Prasanta Behera and Shri Prafulla Mangaraj
The next item is Bajrakanti Pallavi. The word “Pallavi” has been derived from the Sanskrit word pallava, which means the bud of a leaf, or the shoots of a tree which are very tender. As a small seed grows gradually into a large tree, in Pallavi, a tune is sung in a particular raga and it develops gradually into different varieties. In this item equal importance is given to dance as well as music and rhythm. The movements in this item are extremely graceful and lyrical. Today’s Pallavi is based on “Bajrakanti Raga” and Taal: Ektali and Triputa
Artists: Prapti Gupta & Pihu Shrivastava
Choreography: Guru Shri Hare Krushna Behera & Guru Smt. Alpana Nayak
Music Composition: Guru Shri Ramahari Das
The next item is an Odia Abhinaya depicting two different Nayikas from the epics of Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanja, the great Oriya Poet of sixteenth century.
Naayika waited for her lover to come but he did not come. Troubled by the absence of her lover, “Virohatkanthita Naayika” asks her friend “What am I being punished for? Why is it that my lover has fallen for another enchanting woman? Why is it that he has forgotten me? O sakhi! This beautifully decorated bower holds no meaning without him. The light of the lamp which I had lighted for him, hurts my eyes, it pains me. O my friend, my sakhi, you tell me, what should I do? Where should I go?”
With the first rays of the morning sun upon seeing her lover, her joys know no bounds. But then as her eyes fall on the nail marks left by another woman on his body, she is consumed with rage. “Khanditaa Naayika” depicts the woman who wishes no relationship with her lover. She makes up her mind that she will never forgive him for this shameful act of infidelity. She says: “You traitor go back to the woman who pleased you last night. Go back for I cannot bear to look at the marks she has left on your body. I do not wish to see these. Go from here. Go away……………….”
Artist: Guru Smt Alpana Nayak
Choreography: Guru Smt. Alpana Nayak
Music Composition: Shri Prasanta Behera & Shri Prafulla Mangaraj
Saabhinaya Pallavi: A Pallavi based on raga Kalabati followed by an odia abhinaya “Sangini re chahan Benu pani ki….…”written by 18th century Odia poet Bhakta Kabi Shri Banamali Das. In this song Radha and other Gopies are describing the celestial beauty of Lord Krishna and his grace and style. This Saabhinaya Pallavi is based on Taal: Ek taali, Triputa taal and Khemta taal
Artists: Disha Kannan, Yastika Dhawan, Shreysha and Nerissa Rout
Choreography: Legendary Guru Shri Deba Prasad Das
Last item of the evening is ‘Nava Durga’, a prayer to Goddess Durga. In this presentation nine manifestations of the Goddess such as Bana Durga, Maha Durga, Giri Durga, Jaya Durga, Shuli Durga, Mahisha Mardini, Shakti Durga and Ghoro Durga are praised.
Artists: Prapti Gupta, Pihu Shrivastava, Disha Kannan, Yastika Dhawan and
Nerissa Rout
Original Solo Choreography: Late Guru Shri Gangadhara Pradhan
Group Choreography: Guru Shri Santosh Swain
