The beautiful art form of Odissi was brilliantly displayed at Springstep Medford Ma on April10 by dancers from Upasana.   Director Mouli Pal  brought together tiny tots who are just beginning to learn Odissi and seasoned professionals in a very creative manner to create an innovative lyrical presentation.  Titled Tarala Taranga or liquids, the event also featured a photo exhibit by Don Perrault

The event opened with the tiny tots presenting “Ya Kundendu” – A prayer to Goddess Saraswathi. Their lovely white and red costumes enhanced their beautiful movements. Next, senior dancers presented the famous Panchakshari Stotram by Adi Shankara. The traditional opening number Mangalacharan followed.  The Mangalacharan is a salutation to Lord Jagannath , the presiding Deity of Odissi.

Anushilani Nritya depicted the various training movements used by Odissi dancers. Battu, a  nritta or pure dance number followed. The Battu was  dedicated to Batukeshwar Bhairava or Lord Shiva. Considered as one of the most difficult pieces to perform, Batu marks an important milestone in the  training path of an Odissi dancer.     Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra’s signature number Arabhi Pallavi  brought the first half to a close.
 
The second half opened with “Spirit of the Ocean “ a creative modern piece that focused on the idea of protection of marine life.
 
 The next piece , Dhire Samire Yamuna Teere was arguably the highlight of the evening's presentation. In the typical Odissi fashion Mouli Pal brought the emotions of  Jaideva’s Ashtapadi  into every aspect of  her Angika Abhinaya.

 
 Megh Pallavi choreographed by choreographed by Guru Rathikant Mohapatra. came next. The “liquid” theme continued with Rim Jhim Ghono Ghono re and concluded with Ganga Stuti.
 
 
 
Oishee Ghosh, Nishi Shah, Alicia Sanyal, Tiara Biswas, Anusha Senapati, Paroma Snayal, Anuradha Bhargava, Mahua Roychoudhury Medha Pal, Urvi Chakroborty, Sarav Chidambaram, Mita Banerjee, Chand Sripad, Agustina Carando GhimMelissa Husser, Maalika Banerjee,Devika Banerjee, Shamoyita Chakroborty, Sushmita Biswas and Mouli Pal must have put in a lot of hard work to create such a beautiful presentation.

Payal Mistry as the presenter did a get job keeping the evening well knit.

 The evening ended with a recognition of Mita Banerjee for her dedication to Odissi and the announcement about he  Upasana College scholarship  .

It was true delight this wonderful form rise in  popularity in the Boston area. We hope to see more of such brilliant presentations from Upasana.

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