Odisha: Vrindaban Mahotsav Enthrals Classical Music Lovers

Bhubaneswar: Maestros of Indian classical music set the stage for Holi with their performances at Vrindaban Mahotsav-2021 on the festival’s eve in Odisha Capital.

The annual musical extravaganza this year marks completion of 11 years of ‘Vrindaban Gurukul’ in the capital city founded by renowned flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia.

The musical soiree at Utkal Mandap here witnessed participation of several internationally acclaimed artistes.

The event, on Sunday, kicked-off with a flute recital by the disciples of ‘Vrindaban Gurukul’. It was followed by a mellifluous ‘Raag Bahar’ by renowned Sarod player Pt. Tejendra Narayan Majumdar. He was accompanied on the table by Pt. Ramkumar Mishra.

The concluding performance of the evening was by Pt. Chhannulal Mishra whose melodious Hindustani vocals on ‘Raag Hansadhwani’ was followed by songs like ‘Lage Tose Nayana’, Thumri ‘Tore Nayana Lagi Katar Sajani’ and many more.

The flagship Indian classical music concert was organised by Tourism department, in association with Vrindaban Gurukul Trust, Bhubaneswar. The event was co-sponsored by Odisha Mining Corporation.

The joint initiative between Odisha Tourism and Vrindaban Gurukul started last year with an aim to bring Indian Classical Music maestros from across the globe on a single platform. ‘Vrindaban Mahotsav’ has today become a permanent fixture of Odisha Tourism’s vibrant events calendar.

The concert, which was organised in strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols, was telecast live on DD Bharati and social media handles of Odisha Tourism, said the organisers.

It was attended by Principal Secretary, Tourism, Vishal Kumar Dev; Director, Tourism Sachin R Jadhav; OTDC Chairperson Shreemaye Mishra; ‘Vrindaban Gurukul’ trustee Pushpanjali Chaurasia and Joint Secretary, Tourism, Durga Prasad Mohapatra.