Starting with a single-day festival in 1995 (29 years ago), the Award Festival has now grown into a five-day celebration of scintillating performances, featuring eight artistes and a dance recital by Srjan’s own repertory on the final day. The aim here is to give our Odisha audiences an exposure to classical and semi-classical fare of the highest level; we aspire to sensitise captive audiences, especially the younger section and students, so that an enthusiasm for the subtle flavours of classicism is planted in them.
In planning the festival, we try to provide a mix of famous performers and some relatively new names who are all artistes of quality. The idea is to showcase both established and budding artistes, whom our Odisha audience has not yet tasted. Apart from the obvious novelty of a star performer, the added benefit is to a new generation of dance and music students who get a direct exposure to artistes that they have only heard about. Plus, we take care in designing each evening’s performance with an eye on the most suitable combination of artistes and genre.
After two years of successfully hosting the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra (GKCM) Award Festival on digital platforms, Srjan–Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Nrityabasa this year is back to the stage, reverting to its celebrated tradition of hosting the 29th OMC GKCM Award Festival at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar from September 5th to September 9th at Rabindra Mandap at 7 pm each day.
Srjan has curated this year’s festival with an eye on the most suitable combination of artiste and genre, with an eclectic mix of presentations by nationally and internationally acclaimed performers. Encompassing the three components of Sangeeta as defined in the musical treatise, the Sangeeta Ratnakara, Geetam Vaadyam tatha Nrityam, Trayam Sangeetamuchyate, that is, “Music is threefold, comprising vocals, instrumental music, and dance,” the GKCM Award Festival is also thoughtfully conceived to offer a judicial representation of all three. On the concluding evening, we will present the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award and the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Prativa Samman, followed by a group Odissi dance presentation by the Srjan ensemble. Srjan remains committed to maintaining the same level of professionalism, diligence, and recognition, as it has over the past 29 years.
