Bhubaneswar, (Odisha Connect): An Evening that came with Kathak on Wednesday enthralled the audience in Ravindra Mandap for three hours in the Guru Kelucharan Memorial Programme.
Renowned Kathak exponent of the Lucknow Gharana, Shila Mehta, performed powerful Shiva Stuti. She was accompanied on the live orchestra by Sunando Mukherjee on the Sarod, Vivek Mishra and Amitangshu Kumar Brahma on the Tabla, and Jaydeep Sinha on Vocals.
Completing the Shivastuti, she moved on to an eclectic Bhava Tihai in Teen Taal, portraying Gopucha—the gaits of different animals. She presented the rhythmic flow and ebb of the waves of the ocean through the movement oeuvre of Kathak, bringing life to the bhava of the episode of Sita Haran from the Ramayana. In the style of the legendary maestro Pt. Birju Maharaj.
Shila Mehta’s third and final presentation was Geetasara, the epic dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna and the episode of the Vishwarupa Darshana. The synchronous musical accompaniment, dramatic lighting, and appealing stage effects added to the climax of this composition.
The second recital for the evening was by feted Hindustani Vocalist and torchbearer of the Kirana Gharana. The musical program added great depth to the auspicious occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. Jayateerth Mevundi’s absolute Bhakti enraptured the audience.