30th Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival: Celebrating Artistic Excellence

Bhubaneswar, August 31: Srjan—Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Nrityabasa, with the institutional support of Sri Sri University, is set to host its flagship annual classical dance and music festival, the 30th Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra (GKCM) Award Festival 2024. Scheduled from September 5–11 at Rabindra Mandap, the festival will commence at 7 pm daily, marking a significant milestone in Odisha’s cultural calendar. The festival’s mission remains steadfast: to create and sustain awareness of India’s classical traditions in dance and music. Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival

An Extended Celebration of Classical Art Forms

This year, the festival departs from its traditional five-day format, extending to seven days of carefully curated performances. Each evening promises to captivate audiences with the highest calibre of classical dance and music. The festival will culminate on the final day with the prestigious award presentation ceremony, followed by a grand finale by the Srjan ensemble, led by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra.

The Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award 2024, carrying a cash prize of ₹1,00,000/- and a citation, will be presented to four iconic figures who have made significant contributions to Odisha’s rich cultural heritage. Smt. Kumkum Lal will be honoured for her immense contributions to Odissi dance, while Guru Lakshmikanta Palit and Guru Dhaneswar Swain will receive accolades for their lifetime achievements in the fields of Music and Percussion, respectively. Shri Uttam Mohanty will be recognized for his outstanding contributions to Odia Cinema.

In addition, the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Prativa Samman will be awarded to four exceptionally talented artists under the age of 40, in recognition of their outstanding performances in classical dance and Odissi music. Pompi Paul and Rajnita Mehra will be honoured for their achievements in Odissi dance, Avijit Das for Kuchipudi, and Rohita Pradhan for her dedication to Odissi music (Mardala). Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival

A Week of Unforgettable Performances

The inaugural evening will feature a soulful Ghazal recital by the renowned singer Chandan Dass. On the second day, acclaimed Bharatanatyam exponent Vaibhav Arekar and his Sankhya Dance Company will present “Shrimant Yogi,” a homage chronicling the life and times of the legendary Shivaji Maharaj. The third evening will bring a Carnatic Vocal recital by the celebrated singer Kalaimamani OS Arun.

At the festival’s midpoint, SubraMania, led by the famous musicians Ambi and Bindu Subramaniam, will deliver a captivating evening of musical fusion, blending creative elements into their repertoire. The following evening will showcase the illustrious Hindustani Flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, accompanied by famed Tabla artiste Ojas Adhiya. On the penultimate evening, classical dance will take centre stage again with “Moonstruck,” presented by the reputed Kathak exponent Ashimbandhu Bhattacharjee and his dance troupe, Upasana Centre for Dance.

The final evening will commence with the prestigious award ceremony, followed by the much-anticipated finale by the Srjan ensemble. Under the artistic direction of Ratikant Mohapatra, the ensemble will present “Tantra,” a powerful performance invoking the divine feminine and exploring the esoteric tradition of Tantra. This evocative presentation promises to be a visual and aesthetic delight, with unique embellishments in music, choreography, and costumes.

Institutional Support and Sponsorships

Srjan has partnered with Sri Sri University, Cuttack, a leading educational institution in India, to foster the interconnectedness of academia and performing arts in the classical realm. The entire festival is curated and conceptualized by Ratikant Mohapatra, with program execution by Debiprasad Mishra.

The 30th GKCM Award Festival has garnered significant support from various sponsors, including MGM Minerals and Shalimar Chemical Works Pvt Ltd. The festival is also supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the Department of Odia Literature Language and Culture, Government of Odisha. Additional sponsors include SBI, IMFA, Priyadarshini Handlooms, and Paradeep Phosphates Limited, with The Royale Midtown Hotel serving as the hospitality partner. Dharitri and Orissa Post, along with Narthaki.com, are the media and web partners, respectively.