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The Music
The Musicians
The Lyricists
Odissi is the music of
Orissa and the people of Orissa. It is very ancient: The earliest mention of
Odissi dates from the second century B.C., during the reign of Kharavela. As time
progressed, Odissi became an institutionalized part of Oriya culture. It was
performed for Kings, during festivals, and in sacred temples where it was played in
accompaniment to the ritual dance of the Devadasis. The great poet Jayadeva, from
Kenduvilva, played an instrumental role in codifying ragas and talas, whereby the music of
today is provided with a communicable mathematical basis. From its ancient
vernacular, or Natangi, which was most frequently used in conjunction with the Mahari or
Gotipua style of dance, it has metamorphosed into an internationally recognized classical
discipline. At present, the resurrection of the original discipline of Odissi is not
full-fledged; its parameters are defined but lack absolute fixity. Only through the
vigorous effort of those who are Sangeet Vidwan are the minutae of this beautiful style
being progressively illuminated. Today, the sound of Odissi is considered a middle
ground between the Hindustani and Karnatic styles. Recognition is owed to those
Gurus whose genius was a motive force in the revival of Odissi Music.
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(Late) Sangeet Sudhakar Balakrushna Das learned Odissi Music from Gokul Chandra Srichandran, Hindustani
Classical Music from Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, and vocal music from Guru Kailash Chandra Maitra. In 1948, he found employment as a staff artist on All India Radio, in Cuttack. A gifted music composer, he composed a number of dance dramas for the
renowned gurus of Odissi dance. He was a member of the National Music Association
and the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya. He received many awards in his life, including
the Sur Singhari, Padma Keshari, and Sangeet Natak. The title Sangeet Sudhakar was
given by Kalavinod.
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(Late) Pandit Bhubaneswar Mishra received his first inspiration from his father, Sri Ananta Mishra. He was trained in
Hindustani violin by Dr. Dwaran Venkastswamy Naidu and Dwaram Harasinga Rao.
His mind and talent turned to Odissi, however, and proved to be as gifted a music composer
as he was a violinist. For many years he was part of All India Radio as a senior
producer of music. He was the recipient of two Natak Academy Awards.
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Srimati Bhubaneswari Mishra one of Orissa's foremost vocalists, was trained under such esteemed Gurus
as Shinghari Shyamsunder Kar, Sangeet Sudhakar Balakrushna Das, Sri Harihar Khuntia, Sri
Kasinath Pujapanda, and Sri Gopal Panda. She is a three-time recipient of the
Government of Orissa's Best Female Singer Award and received the National Award for Best
Teacher from President Sri K.R. Narayanan. She holds the titles of Sangeet Kalapata, Surabharati, and Gyanpallavini. Her solo renderings from Jayadeva's Geeta
Govinda have won her wide recognition and acclaim.
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Guru Sri Ram Hari Das was born in Balesore, Orissa and is a dedicated student of (late) Sangeet Sudhakar Sri
Balakrishna Das. He holds M.A.'s in Orissa litterature and Odissi vocal music and
has performed diversely as a soloist and as a leading vocalist in accompaniment to some of
the world's foremost Odissi dancers. He is a member of All India Radio and a teacher
of Odissi Classical Music at the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in Bhubaneswar, Orissa.
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Photo
coming soon
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Guru Sri K.Rama Rao Patra
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Pandit Jyotindra Prasad Mishra
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Guru Sri Bijay Kumar Jena
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