BHUBANESWAR: The third instalment of Hindustani Sangeet Lahari (second edition) and fifth part of Udrapaddhattiya Sangeet written by Pandit Damodar Hota were released by eminent writer Santanu Acharya and Carnatic veena exponent Jogiraj Patra at a function on Mahabodhi Society premises here Sunday.
The release was followed by deliberations on the contribution of Hota to the music scene in Odisha, Odissi music in particular, and the earlier editions of the books which serve as a storehouse of basic information on Odissi music.
“Odissi music has been hailed but it has not got its due so far. I have tried my best to codify the ragas of Odissi music through my books which can go a long way in helping youngsters learn Odissi music. My earlier books are referenced by colleges that have music as a subject and I hope these two new books will also add to the reference material,” said Hota.
He has already worked on 62 raagas in Odissi and hopes to complete at least 100.
The speakers on dais, including Acharya and Patra, hailed the efforts of the maestro in popularising Odissi and also expressed hope that he will come up with many more editions of the books which will encourage more people to learn the music. Also present on the stage were Bimalendu Mohanty, former Vice-Chancellor of Culture university, who presided over the meeting and musician and teacher Chittaranjan Pani.
The event concluded with students of Swar Rang, the organisers of the event, rendering a few compositions in Odissi.