Crooning the song of simplicity
ANJANA RAJAN
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Continuing the series on accompanists, meet Prasanta Behera, singer and harmonium exponent.
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Delhi artistes are somewhat different in approach from those in Orissa.
NOTES FOR LIFE Prasanta Behera
Accompanying artistes are often recognised as the backbone of a dance performance, but it is rare to find them staking their claim to such a title. Prasanta Kumar Behera seems to be one more in the line of self-effacing youngsters whose strong rural heritage, combined with a rich family tradition of music, is making his quiet way in the hard world of the national Capital, where the art fraternity is often self-obsessed.
"My father was a musician," relates Prasanta, who grew up in Dakshinapraharajpur village of Orissa. "I learnt the art sitting by his side in concerts. My elder brother is a tabla player, while our eldest brother acts in the Jatra."
It was Prasanta's younger uncle (chacha) who encouraged him to take up music seriously. "He does a lot of work in the village, like producing plays every year," says Prasanta.
"Besides, Guru Hare Krishna Behera (the celebrated Odissi guru based in New Delhi) is my brother-in-law (jijaji). He asked me to come to Bhubaneswar and helped me get admission at the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya. Here I studied music formally. I have done my M.A. in Odissi music, besides four years of Hindustani music."
Call from Delhi
Once qualified, it didn't take Prasanta long to get a call from Guru Hare Krishna Behera to come to Delhi and try his luck accompanying dancers in performances and classes.
"I came to Delhi seven years ago. I have accompanied Kavita Dwibedi and most of the Odissi dancers here."
Besides performing with dancers, he teaches music too. While the demand for Odissi music is less than that for learning Hindustani classical vocal, Prasanta does have a group of youngsters striving in both the disciplines. Come May 21, as part of a programme of the Odissi Kendra, 12 of his students will sing Hindustani music at the India Habitat Centre, while on May 28, at the same venue, his senior Odissi music student will perform.
A hobby approach
Delhi artistes are somewhat different in approach from those in Orissa, he observes quietly.
"There the children seem very serious about what they are learning. Here they take it more as a hobby. In Orissa you will find them practicing night and day. In Delhi you can't expect that patience!"
On the other hand, the expanded horizons have not escaped him.
"Here you find dancers take up compositions in Hindi, Sanskrit, while there the old Oriya compositions are more popular. Of course, the themes may be common," notes Prasanta.
As for the future, he says, "Odissi music is not yet a classical form. I am concerned about the development of Odissi music."
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