Rohita Pradhan

MOKSHA - 07.03.2024

MOKSHA by the world renowned Odissi Dance ensemble Rudrakshya Foundation under the guidance of Guru Sri Bichitrananda Swain at Rabindra Mandap on 07.03.2024 (Thursday) at 6.30 PM.

MANGALACHARAN:

We begin with Mangalacharan, The auspicious beginning. The dancers enter on the stage with the hand full of haunting fragrance of flowers, Jasmine, Mugra and Champak. The flowers are an offering to Odisha’s beloved deity Lord Jagannath, the lord of the universe. Seeking his blessings for embarking on an ecstatic journey of body and soul. This is followed by Bhumi Pranam salutation to the mother earth and an invocation to the particular deity.

Dancers are:

Sriradha Paul

Roji Swain

Lopamudra Sahoo

Anjali Dash

Avipsa Gitanjali Behera

T. Tulika Reddy

TALA TARANGA:

Taal Tarang is a pure dance piece that is a beautiful blend of different percussion instruments i.e. Mardal, Mrudanga, and Khanjani or symbol. This piece involves an innovative choreography that uses different percussion instruments to give a new dimension to Odissi music. Taal Tarang meaning, Rhythmic waves is choreographed maintaining or following all the techniques, Grammar, Movements, Emotions, Beauty, and Grace of Odissi dance. Though it is based on one particular taal it has been composed with different Chhanda or rhythmic patterns and laya or speed.

Dance Choreography : Guru Sri Bichitrananda Swain

Music Composition : Guru Sri Ramahari Das

Rhythm Composition : Guru Sri Dhaneswar Swain

Notation : Guru Sri K. Ramarao Patra

Dancers are:

Jagyandatta Pradhan

Dushasan Sahoo

Bichitra Behera

Santosh Ram

Samir Kumar Panigrahi

Surendra Pradhan

Sanjeev Kumar Jena

KALI KRISHNA:

Yaha Krishna Saha Kaali, meaning he who is lord Krishna is also Goddess Kaali. This beautiful composition explores the many similarities and contrasts between Krishan and Goddess Kaali. While Krishna preserves the cosmos with compassion, Kaali maintains the cycle of birth and death with her ferocity.

Beginning with the primordial sound OMM, followed by the hymns- KLEEM for Krishan and KREEM for Kaali, the dance encompasses the devotee’s visions of the dissimilarities and similarities between Krishan and Kaali. Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu and Kaali, the incarnation of Shakti, descend upon earth to eliminate evil and restore peace. Krishan, the compassionate one and Kaali, the fierce one, are portrayed as Shyama and Shyama or (Dark) in complexion-darkness-symbolizing the cosmos and devouring of evil. Krishna lives in Vrindavan, surrounded by gentle white Cows; Kaali, lives in the cremation ground surrounded by howling Jackals. Krishan dance with Gopikas near river Yamuna and Kaali dances in a sea of blood. Krishna is pitambari-clad in yellow robes with a garland of flowers; and Kaali is Digambari-naked-with garland of human skulls. Krishna wears sandal tilak and ornaments; and Kaali wears vermillion on her forehead, snake as her sacred thread, human bones as her waist band and conch shells as her bangles. Krishan, is lotus-eyed and charming, playing the flute to lure the Gopikas, devoted to his beloved Radha; and Kaali depicted dauntingly with skull and sword in her hand, is the divine consort of Lord Shiva. However the outward dichotomy ceases to exist as the devotee envisions both as complementary to and merging into each other.Krishna and Kaali, Shyama and Shyamaa are aspects of the one and only truth; - the supreme’s Maya or illusion-hence beyond human comprehension.

Dance Choreography : Guru Sri Bichitrananda Swain

Music Composition : Guru Sri Ramahari Das

Rhythm Composition : Guru Sri Dhaneswar Swain

Notation : Guru Sri K. Ramarao Patra

Script and Lyrics : Sri Srijan Chatterjee

Dancers are:

Jagyandatta Pradhan

Dushasan Sahoo

Bichitra Behera

Santosh Ram

Samir Kumar Panigrahi

Surendra Pradhan

Sanjeev Kumar Jena

SAKYAMUNI BUDDHA:

This is a story of a prince who chose to be a beggar. A child who took his first steps as soon as he was born. A champion of compassion whose heart ached for the suffering of others. A soul who gave up his life for the betterment of the world. This is the story of Sakyamuni Buddha.

The story of how he left the pleasures of the world to seek a deeper meaning of existence. Not only did he realise that the world is a bundle of sorrows but he also discovered the way to conquer it! The way to discipline our minds and win over our instincts until the truth reveals itself. This production leads the audience to the world of Sakyamuni Buddha through his stories and philosophy. The journey begins from his divine birth and ends in the spectacle of Dharma chakra pravartana - setting in motion the wheel of Dharma.

Dance Choreography : Guru Sri Bichitrananda Swain

Music Composition : Guru Sri Srijan Chatterjee

Rhythm Composition : Guru Sri Dhaneswar Swain

Notation : Guru Sri K. Ramarao Patra

Script and Lyrics : Sri Srijan Chatterjee

Dancers are:

Dushasan Sahoo