The row of temples dimly lit in the foggy winter night stood as a pristine backdrop to the melody of raga Jansammohini with the reverberations of the mardala, inviting on to the stage danseuse Madhulita Mohapatra and her disciple Meghna Das for a duet Pallavi performance. The beauty of the Mukteswar Temple complemented the Pallavi piece, that rested on the concept of eulogising beauty. Madhulita’s first choreographic composition, Pallavi was one of the many performances at the three-day Mukteswar Festival that concluded on January 16 in Bhubaneswar.
While most of the movements were lyrical and graceful, the composition—a visual treat—ensured there was a tandem between the two dancers in every pause and movement. A pure dance, while the postures struck a mark, the technical finésse in footwork was deft and expressions unrestrained.
Replete with grace, the synchronisation and symmetry using the complete stage space were alluring. “I’ve used the steps and movements that are within the traditional Odissi dance structure. However, I have tried to improvise a bit. I’m happy that dancers, gurus and connoisseurs have liked the piece. It is a heartening start for me. I know I’ve to learn a lot,” she adds.
“Pallavi, considered the most graceful part of Odissi repertoire, means to grow. Like a creeper, the Pallavi grows in pace and complexity, slowly yet surely. And movements in this form of dance do not tell a story rather enhance aspects of beauty. And since Pallavi is based on the melody of Odissi ragas and is titled on them, it brings in sheer dance in its complexity of patterns and lyricality of body movement,” says Mohapatra.
Pallavi had music composition by Bijaya Kumar Jena and rhythm composition by Bijaya Kumar Barik.
Speaking about the speciality of the dance composition, Mohapatra says that innovations and new compositions are a way upwards in the journey of an artist. “It is reflection of their engagement with their art and growth of their artistry. I always wished to compose dance pieces and this was my first choreographic work.” The danseuse is working on her second composition, which is an abhinaya on the story of Savitri and Satyavan.
Ask her if she has been inspired by any dancer, Mohapatra says “by many”. Attributing her finesse to Odissi exponent Aruna Mohanty, the dancer says there are many like Sharmila Biswas, Ratikant Mohapatra, Surupa Sen and Bijayini Satapathy (of Nrityagram), Ramli Ibrahim (of Sutra, Malaysia) and Madhavi Mudgal who have been an inspiration to her. “I learn a lot from all and absorb the best from each. Like American historian and author Henry Adams says, ‘a teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops’.”
Mohapatra, who has a master’s degree in Commerce and Business Administration, left a lucrative job to make dance her mantra of life. It was only after her marriage that her dream to pursue dance full-time took wings. “My marriage made the decision easy for me to choose dance over any other job. So when I moved to Bengaluru five years ago, I started teaching children and as the number rose, Nrityantar, an institute of Odissi dance, was born,’’ she says.
Mohapatra, who belongs to Kalahandi district in Odisha, feels that “dance chose” her. “My first Odissi guru Krushnachandra Sahoo helped me learn the first steps. There have been many gurus and amazing artistes who inspire me: Guru Bhimsen Sahoo, who initiated me into Sambalpuri folk dance; Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, who is no more; and my present Odissi guru, Aruna Mohanty, who is an acclaimed dancer. They have shaped me the way I am today,’’ says Mohapatra.
Speaking about establishing a rapport with the audience, the dancer says performing on stage is more elevating, as the dancer is sharing his/her passion and joy with the audiences through art. “When I’m dancing anywhere, at home or on stage, the joy and bliss I get is because I feel I connect with the supreme power when I dance,” says Mohapatra, who also performed an abhinaya, ‘Bajuchhi Sahi Bajare’, based on the eternal love of Radha and Krishna.
On a mission to take Odissi to every home in Karnataka, Mohapatra and her Nrityantar Academy in Bengaluru also teache Odissi in government schools on a honorary basis.
■ Madhulita Mohapatra is a disciple of Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, Aruna Mohanty and Pabitra Kumar Pradhan. Mohapatra, who has received the BCKA Yuva Kala Pratibha award, has performed across the world. She is devoted to the popularisation of Odissi dance through her institution Nrityantar.
■ Meghna Das is a recipient of Chinta-O-Chetana national award. She began her Odissi training at an early age under her mother, Sahana Das. Later, she joined Nrityagram city classes in Bengaluru. She is currently associated with Nrityantar and has performed with the Nrityantar ensemble, and solo in India and abroad.