Odissi by Madhulita Mohapatra / Ashok Ghosal @NCPA

Colours of Krishna
Odissi by Madhulita Mohapatra & Nrityantar Dance Ensemble
MUN – The Immortal Devil
Odissi by Ashok Ghosal & the Nrutyashala Ensemble

An NCPA Presentation

Madhulita Mohapatra, a disciple of Gangadhar Pradhan, Aruna Mohanty, Pabitra Kumar Pradhan and Krushnachandra Sahoo, has carved out a niche as one of the leading Odissi exponents among the younger generation of dancers. She is a recipient of the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi, the IIW She Inspires Award 2024 held in the UK Parliament, the Devi Awards Bhubaneswar 2024 by The New Indian Express and the Kempegowda Award (Bengaluru) among others. Mohapatra is a grade ‘A’ artiste of Doordarshan and an empanelled artiste of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and has performed at prestigious events across the country and overseas. She has been a guest faculty member at the Reva University, Bengaluru, where she teaches students pursuing their master’s in Odissi dance. Mohapatra is devoted to the promotion and popularisation of Odissi in southern India through her institution, Nrityantar. Known for their brilliant use of movement and space, and interesting themes, Nrityantar Dance Ensemble is one of the most sought-after classical dance troupes from Karnataka regularly invited by major art festivals.

Colours of Krishna is an Odissi dance presentation that explores the many facets of Krishna through music, movement and emotion. From the playful child stealing butter to the compassionate saviour, eternal lover, guide and protector—the production journeys through Krishna’s timeless leelas and human values. Episodes such as the subduing of the evil serpent Kaliya, Krishna’s enchanting flute and the divine bond with Radha portray love, devotion, humility and righteousness.

Music composition: Rupak Kumar Parida
Rhythm composition: Dhaneswar Swain
Dance direction & choreography: Madhulita Mohapatra

Ashok Kumar Ghosal is a dancer, choreographer and teacher. He has received intensive training in both Odissi and Chhau dance forms from Jyoti Rout, Niranjan Rout, Naba Kishore Mishra (Odissi) and Srihari Nayak (Chhau). As a creative choreographer, he has contributed several innovative compositions to the traditional repertoire of Odissi dance. He pursued research under eminent scholar in Odissi and Chhau dance traditions and has received the Junior Scholarship and Fellowship from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Ghosal is the director of Nrutyashala, a premier cultural institution in Bhubaneswar, where over 200 students are being groomed in the three pillars of training, research and performance. The institution regularly organises seminars, group discussions, demonstrations and study tours to encourage deeper understanding and research in the field of classical dance. Every year, Nrutyashala organises Margi, a classical dance festival where renowned dancers and troupes from across India and abroad participate.

Pride, ego and vanity have existed through the ages. It may seem like a strange mathematical coincidence that in Satya Yuga, the four-syllabled Hiranyakashipu was destroyed by Narasimha; in Treta Yuga, the three-syllabled Ravana was defeated by Rama; and in Dwapara Yuga, the two-syllabled Kansa was slain by Krishna. In this Kali Yuga, the single-syllabled ‘Mun’ (meaning I or Myself) continues to exist as the subtle manifestation of all these evils. This egoistic Mun lives within every individual, household and society and only when it is destroyed can humanity move towards enlightenment, compassion and collective well-being. Spiritual awareness and inner consciousness alone can dissolve this ego and create a peaceful and harmonious world.

Script: Nabakishore Mishra
Rhythm composition: Dhaneswar Swain & Ajay Kumar Choudhury
Voice: Shriyukta Ramahari Das, Khitiprakash Mohapatra, Gitamajari Behera & Sworupa Mishra
Costume design: Bandita Ghosal
Music: Himanshu Sekhar Swain
Concept & choreography: Ashok Kumar Ghosal

Box office now open.