Bhubaneswar: Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra (GKCM) Award Festival, the premier classical event in the cultural calendar of Odisha was organised by Srjan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Nrityabasa commenced with a beautiful and soulful Ghazal recital by eminent singer Chandan Dass, here on Thursday. MGM Group has extended its support for the ceremony.
The seven-day cultural extravaganza scheduled from September 5-11 this year features an exceptionally well-curated line-up of artistes including celebrated musicians.
The inaugural evening commenced with the auspicious lighting of the lamp, and the welcome address.
Suresh Pujari, Minister Revenue & Disaster Management Dr.Tej Partap, Vice Chancellor, Sri Sri University (SSU), Cuttack; Ashok Kumar Tripathy, Former Member, Board of Revenue, Pankaj Lochan Mohanty, Chairman & Managing Direrctor MGM Group and Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, Director, Srjan graced the occasion.
The soulful Ghazal rendition of Chandan Dass was replete with his distinctive style of singing with the signature aura of his hometown Murshidabad. A Begum Akhtar Puraskar recipient, the deep influence of the inimitable style of legend Mehdi Hassan shone bright as he lent his voice to the works of several renowned poets.
Aiming to promote and preserve the rich Ghazal tradition of India, his harmonious recital with his accompanying orchestra on the opening evening of the 30th GKCM Award Festival 2024 was a befitting inauguration and tribute to the Arts.
He was ably accompanied by Arshad Khan on Tabla, Abhiram Nanda on the flute, Arif Lateef on the keyboard, and Bhabhatosh Mohanty on the guitar.
The curtains drew to a close as Srjan awaits yet another evening of cultural immersion, with the Bharatanatyam performance of reputed Bharatanatyam exponent Guru Vaibhav Arekar and the Sankhya Dance Company from Mumbai, who will present Shrimant Yogi, a homage chronicling the life and times of the legendary Shivaji Maharaj.
Srjan is receiving the able institutional support of Sri Sri University, Cuttack, a leading educational institution of India. The 30th GKCM Award Festival has received donations from MGM Minerals and others.