Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 12: Organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, the classical dance recital featuring Mumbai based invited Odissi danseuse and local talented Kathak artistes, was held at the Abhinav Theatre, here today. Raman Bhalla, Minster for Revenue and Rehabilitation, was the chief guest of the program, which started with Kathak dance by Virasha and Diksha, the students of local Kathak maestro Pandit Naryan Prashad who is one of the few committed teachers of Kathak in Jammu. His students among other items also presented a composition based Arjuna-Krishna Samvad. The musicians who gave accompaniment included Neeraj Verma on Tabla, Ramesh Parmar on Harmonium and Tarana and Victor Sotra on flute.
The next item was by Priya Dutta, the young Kathak dancer who is also heading the Department of Kathak, Institute of Music and Fine Arts, University of Jammu. She gave an impressive performance of the classical dance in which she presented Vishnu Vandana, Ganesh Stuti, Tatkar, Tore, Paran, Tukde, Gat Bhav, Chhotka Tora in Drut Lai.
Daughter of the soil, Priya Dutta had her initial training under Ram Mohan Mishra and Jaikrishan. Later she did masters in Kathak from Punjab University. A recipient of best dancer award and robe of honour, she also got Government of India scholarship. She was accompanied by Purshotam Kumar on Tabla, Raj Kumar Behrupia on Harmonium and Tarana and Mayank Raina on Sitar.
The third item of the program presented and choreographed by Priya Dutta and her students Titled ‘Samarthan’, based on Sringara Rasa was highly appreciated for the poetic rendering of the emotions and movements. The other dancers participating in the item included Priya Khajuria, Bhavna Sharma, Romila Basant, Vandana Bhagat, Swati Sharma and Shabnam.
The Odissi recital by Raminder Khurana from Mumbai, was the highlight of the program as it brought before the audience one of the ancient dance forms of the country. The classical dance form of Orissa had its origin in temples of east India and was performed by Devdasis.
Raminder Khurana studied B Com and Law and had training from Guru Kalucharan Mohapatra and Natvar Maharana. Her first presentation was based on two ‘rupas’ of Durga, the Saraswati and Mahishasuramardani. Her second item titled Pallavi was based on Raga Hansadhavni.
The program exclusively showcasing the classical dances, the cultural legacy from ancient times, was highly appreciated by the audience, which largely comprised of the students and members of the civil society. 
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