Adi Guru Pankaj Charan Das Award Festival 2018

Bhubaneswar: To commemorate the 99^th Birth Anniversary of Adi Guru Pankaj Charan Das, a colourful festival of Odissi dance and music was held on October 30 and 31, 2018 at Bhanja Kala mandap. Organised by Guru Pankaj Charan Das Udra Sanskruti Academy (GPUSA), Sangita Gosain, chief executive of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi research centre, eminent Odissi vocal exponent Guru Keshab Chandra Rout, founder of GPUSA Sri Basanta Kumar Das and Odissi dance exponent and Managing Trustee of GPUSA Smt Pallavi Das graced the two-day long concert.

Narrating about Adi Guruji his granddaughter Pallavi Das said, “Being descendant of mahari tradition, Guru Pankaj Charan Das developed a distinctive style that is articulated and marked in his dance choreographies. The pioneer has brought this ritualistic service as a dance form, from the temple to the stage. His creativity and innovation have always adhered to purity. To commemorate the legendary Guru’s anniversary and to pay homage to his contribution (to carry on the great tradition), Guru Pankaj Udra Sanskrui Academy has been organizing this festival every year.”

Narrating about the dance academy Pallavi added, “Dedicated to the father of Odissi dance, Padmashree Guru Pankaj Charan Das, the academy offers training in Odissi dance, music and art. Guruji’s eldest son Sri Basanta Das is the founder of GPUSA. And since 2012 I have taken up to forward the legacy of Adi Guru towards the divine art form, to make it popular across the world.”

Two awards are given every year to Odissi dance and music exponents recognising their excellence in this classical field. This year the Adi Guru Pankaj Charan Das award 2018 was presented to eminent Odissi dance exponent Dr Snehaprava Samantaray and the Adi Guru Pankaj Charan Das lifetime achievement award 2018 was given to eminent Odissi vocal exponent Guru Sri Dibakar Mohanty.

On the second day among others, Soumyaranjan Nayak performed showing his aptitude in mardala while Puspa Panda from Gunjan, who is a student of Smt Meera Das, Biswabhusan Champtiray and Jyotirmayee Das, a student of Guru Sri Durga Charan Ranbir, presented solo Odissi recitals.

Also read: First Look Posters Of ‘Zero’ Released Ahead Of Shah Rukh Khan’s Birthday