Kalaagan of USA honours living musical legend of Odisha Pandit Dr. Gopal Panda with “Ratnaalok Samman” in Kolkata

Partha Roy, Kolkata: Kalaagan of United States of America honours living musical legend of Odisha Guru Dr. Gopal Panda with “Ratnaalok Samman” on 17thJuly 2023 in a elegant ceremony at ICCR Kolkata.

The octogenarian Guru Gopal Panda was honoured for his contribution in various forms of traditional and classical music of Odisha and India. USA based Guru Supradipta Datta iconic disciple of Guru Aloka Kanungo coordinated the Kalaangan’s Ratnaalok Samman for Guru Gopal Panda who is based in Bhubaneswar Odisha.

Kalaagnan’s Ratanaalok Samman was presented by Ms. Minakshi Misra Head and Zonal Director of ICCR Kolkata to Guru Gopal Panda. Guru Gopal Panda was presented with citation or “Manapatra”, a shawal, and honarium of INR 50000.

Earlier, legendary Musicologist Pandit Dr. Gopal Panda, has been honoured with the central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Upendrabhanj Award by the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi. Guru Aloka Kanungo lead Shinjin Nritralaya ‘s senior students presented a unique Odissi dance composition titled “Tara Pallavi” as tribute to the legendary musicologist.

Music of Tara Pallavi composed by Sangita Panda, illustrious daughter of Pandit Dr. Gopal Panda, Rythm composition by Guru Dhaneswar Swain, Dance choreography by Guru Aloka Kanungo, Dancers presented Tara Pallavi: Sarbani Sen, Paulami Chakraborty, Nivedita Daw Dutta, Sagarika Mohanty, Urjjasee Basak, Swaralipi Roy.

“Tara pallavi “is based on “Raag Tara”. It is a unique raag, and used for the first time for Odissi Dance by Sangita Panda. Though the pallavi is based on ektali – 4 matra In between The taal pattern changes to 6 matra khemta and jati 14 matra. The dance choreography was a treat to the eyes using the time and space intelligently. The dancers weave circles, triangles, diagonal and straight lines which was a visual extravaganza and treat to the eyes.

Smt. Mahua Dhar President of Shinjan Nrityalaya, Dr. Subhashree Pattnaik of Nrutyadham from Bhubaneswar, Senior Journalists, internationally acclaimed Odissi and other dance artists, musicians, celebrities from different areas of performing arts, international researchers as well as students studying performing arts & others in Kolkata, elite members of Odia community and representatives of various Odia cultural organisations based in Kolkata, attended the program.

Guru Gopal Panda Odishi Academy is promoting research and innovation in Odia and Classical music of India under guidance of Pandit Dr. Gopal Panda and his illustrious daughter and acclaimed musician Smt. Sangita Panda who is also Secretary of the Academy. Tara Pallavi performance received wide applause and standing ovation from the audience.