Nrutyayan Celebrates 33rd Annual Festival ‘Gurudev’ with Grand Cultural Showcase
Bhubaneswar : The prestigious Odissi dance institution Nrutyayan, founded by Padma Shri awardee Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, celebrated its 33rd annual festival ‘Gurudev’ with grandeur and artistic fervor at Rabindra Mandap recently.
The event brought together classical elegance, folk traditions, and youthful energy in a vibrant cultural evening.
The festival was inaugurated with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, led by distinguished guests including Swadesh Kumar Rautaray, Chairman of CREDAI Odisha; Ajay Kumar Mahapatra, Newtech Graphics; and renowned Odissi guru Dr. Snehaprava Samantaray, formerly of the Government Music College. The session was presided over by Radhashyam Patra, Chairperson of Nrutyayan.
In her welcome address, Gayatri Ranbir, President of Nrutyayan, expressed her gratitude and pride in the institution’s ongoing legacy of promoting Odissi dance. This was followed by an editorial note presented by Dhirendra Nath Pattnaik, Treasurer.
The cultural programme commenced with the group Odissi performance “Nitya Jagannath”, choreographed under the expert direction of Guru Durga Charan Ranbir. The choreography, marked by intricate footwork and expressive abhinaya, received immense appreciation from the audience.
Students of Nrutyayan presented a series of classical group performances, including: Shri Ram Vandana, , Guru Vandana, Govinda Damodara Stotram, Jayadevi Janmabhumi, Bhagavati Ashtakam.
Each performance showcased the students’ dedication, precision, and the spiritual depth characteristic of the Odissi tradition.
The evening also featured a colorful segment of folk dances from Odisha, performed by young artists, adding a dynamic contrast to the classical performances.
Enthralled by the rhythmic beats and vibrant costumes, the audience responded with enthusiastic applause throughout the show.
As a token of encouragement, certificates and mementos were awarded to participating students by Guru Durga Charan Ranbir.
Senior disciples including Gayatri Ranbir, Manoj Pradhan, Niladri Mahanti, Shraddhanjali Rawal, Saurabh Mahanti, Kunu Maharana, Meghna Mahanti, Rohini Samal, and Bhidisha Basu Mallik led the training and choreography of the 14 dance presentations showcased at the festival.
Over 150 students took part in the performances. The success of the event was made possible through the collective efforts of the organizing team, including Vice President Arati Ranbir, Joint Secretaries Satyajit Mahanti and Asit Basu Mallik, and executive members Arjun Muduli, Sheshadev Samal, Khageswar Jayapuria, Sudhanshu Shekhar Sahu, and Shibani Patra, along with the support of students and their families.
The evening concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Mr. Dhirendra Nath Pattnaik, marking the end of a memorable celebration of Odisha’s rich dance heritage.