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Debashree Patnaik.

When the trend was changing for group presentations, Pankaj Charan was quite worried over the vanishing tribe of soloists for lack of stage and patronage. It was at his behest that the festival and award were initiated. While the Mahari Award is presented to a professional dancer of repute, Pankaj Utsav provides a platform for the budding soloists.

The recently concluded three-day festival in Bhubaneswar showcased a few promising artistes from different gharanas and institutions being run by well known gurus. One such brilliant performer was Debashree Patnaik from Rudrakshya Foundation of Bhubaneswar being run by young and versatile choreographer Bichitrananda Swain. Srjan, the dance institution founded by the legendary Kelucharan Mohapatra and now being led by his son Ratikant Mohapatra, was represented by two of its accomplished artistes –– Rajashri Praharaj and Ansuman Mishra.

Trilochan Sahoo, a talented trainee at the state-owned Odissi Research Centre, was a pleasant discovery of the event. So was the graceful Sharmistha Sahu, disciple of Niranjan Rout. The festival had two participants from Kolkata —Nivedita, disciple of Aloka Kanungo and Kakoli Bose who was under the tutelage of Kelucharan Mohapatra.

Cuttack-based young dancer-choreographer Meera Das deserves applause for her two disciples — Isha Satpathy and Shibangi Mohapatra — who impressed with their neat performances. And Banita Pradhan, disciple of Durga Charan Ranbir, the torch-bearer of the distinct Debaprasad Das gharana, gave a mesmerising performance during the concluding evening.

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