Gotipua Odissi Dance Enthralls Students at Dholim’s Sunbeam
Varanasi: A Gotipua Odissi dance workshop was organised under the aegis of SPIC MACAY at the auditorium of Dholim’s Sunbeam School and Hostel in Rohania on Saturday. Renowned artist Batakrishna Das and his troupe captivated the audience with a mesmerising performance of Indian classical dance.
The programme commenced with floral tributes to the statues of the school’s founders, Dr. Amrit Lal Ishrat and Madam Deesh Ishrat, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. Umesh Seth, Coordinator of SPIC MACAY’s Varanasi Chapter in Uttar Pradesh, along with his wife, Principal Gurmeet Kaur, Administrator Ritu Wadhwa and Vice-Principal Surbhi Gupta, were present on the occasion.
The artists, including Batakrishna Das, Bhagaban Behera (vocalist), Kabiraj Pradhan (flute player), Neelkanth Nayak (manjira player), and Soumyaranjan Das, Abhimanyu Nayak, Laba Marandi, Ganesh Galik, Amir Malik, Rahul Dey and Kushna Jena, were welcomed and felicitated with traditional angavastrams.
Dr. Pradeep ‘Baba’ Madhok, Chairman of the institution, Director Pooja Madhok and Additional Director Mahir Madhok appreciated SPIC MACAY’s contribution to promoting India’s rich cultural heritage. They encouraged students to actively participate in preserving and promoting Indian classical art and culture.
During the workshop, lead artist Batakrishna Das explained the unique features of Gotipua dance, highlighting that traditionally, boys aged between five and 15 perform this dance form. The troupe brought mythological episodes such as the slaying of Shumbha and Nishumbha, the Narasimha Avatar, Draupadi’s disrobing and the rescue of Gajendra to life through their captivating performance.
Following the presentation, the artists interacted with students and answered their questions, satisfying their curiosity about the dance form and its cultural significance.
At the conclusion of the programme, Principal Gurmeet Kaur expressed her gratitude to the artists and SPIC MACAY for organising the enriching cultural event.