Ravenshaw comes alive with unique fusion music

CUTTACK: The Heritage Hall of Ravenshaw University played host to a one-of-its-kind performance in music as fusion of traditional Persian and Indian classical music cast a spell on the Sunday audience here. Renowned performers of Persian instrumental music Parastoo Moradi and his group joined hands with Chakradhar Khuntia to conduct a ‘jugalbandi’ of Indo-Persian music as the Cuttack Mahotsav was shifted to the stage that has immense historical significance. Vice-Chancellor Prof. BC Tripathy set the stage for the performance. While the fusion music held the spectators captivated, dancers of different classical forms held them spellbound. The afternoon and the evening saw stellar performances by Malabi Choudhury of Kolkata who presented Manipuri dance. The audience were also treated to a special Odissi performance by Kajuko Yasunobu of Japan while UK-based Sulochana K Sharma staged Bharatnatyam. The six-day international dance and music festival will conclude on January 10. Being held at Sahid Bhawan here, the festival showcases classical dances like Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, Kathakali, Odissi, Kathak, Manipuri and Sattriya besides Mahari and contemporary dances. Musical performances have been in Carnatic and Hindustani along with Odissi and Thumri-Dadra, organiser Dr Kartik Chandra Rath of Utkal Yuva Sanskrutik Sangha said.