Lucknow – Bhatkhande Sanskriti University, Lucknow, in collaboration with SPIC MACAY, successfully hosted a vibrant Odissi dance performance at the university’s Kalamandapam auditorium. The event brought together heritage, tradition, and cultural expression, captivating the audience with its grace and depth.
The program commenced with a lamp-lighting ceremony, jointly performed by Dr. Srishti Dhawan, Registrar of the University; Dr. Ruchi Khare, Head of the Department of Dance and Percussion; Pt. Ram Mohan Maharaj, senior dance guru; Dr. H.C. Paliwal, UP State Coordinator of SPIC MACAY; and the celebrated Odissi exponent Padma Shri Geeta Mahalik.
In her welcome address, Dr. Srishti Dhawan expressed heartfelt gratitude to all artists and emphasized the importance of such cultural events in enriching student experiences.
The performance by Geeta Mahalik, recipient of the Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, began with a traditional Manglacharan followed by Pushpanjali, an expressive Oriya abhinaya piece that beautifully portrayed Radha-Krishna’s eternal love. The highlight of the evening was her emotionally rich interpretation of Krishna Leela, based on verses by poet Surdas.
The dance performance was elevated by musical accompaniment from Sangeeta Mohanty, Hari Narayan Das (vocals), Prashant Mangaraj (mridangam), and Azhar Shakeel (violin), adding depth and rhythm to the visual storytelling.
Event Coordinator Dr. Ruchi Khare shared that the collaboration between the university and SPIC MACAY aimed to bring legendary artists to the campus, offering students exposure to classical arts. She noted that having an artist of Geeta Mahalik’s stature perform at the university was a moment of pride and inspiration.
Students in attendance described the experience as transformative and enriching, providing them an opportunity to explore the symbiosis between dance and music. Faculty and staff echoed the sentiment, calling it a positive and uplifting initiative.
Dr. Srishti Dhawan concluded by emphasizing that such programs help foster concentration, cultural sensitivity, and a collaborative spirit among students. The university remains committed to offering a creative and holistic environment for its academic community.
The program ended with Dr. Ruchi Khare expressing sincere thanks to all the guest artists and attendees for making the event a grand success.
