The Samikhsya Bureau
BHUBANESWAR: The 14th Guru Debaprasad Award Festival organized by the city-based Tridhara dance institution kicked off at Rabindra Mandap here on Saturday.
The star attraction of the inaugural evening was celebrated singer Anup Jalota from Mumbai who was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award on the occasion.
The cultural evening commenced with Sankhipta Ramayana, an Odissi dance drama staged by the artistes of host Tridhara.
The dance was choreographed by Tridhara director Guru Gajendra Kumar Panda while music was scored by Pandit Haramohan Khuntia.
Anup Jalota, who performed during the evening, sang some of his immensely popular bjajans like Aisi Lagi Lagan, Main Nahi Makhan Khayo, Rang De Chunariya and Jag Me Sundar Hai Do Naam.
He was accompanied by Prosenjit Poddar on Tabla, Jabahar Mishra on Flute, Ramlal Mishra on Sarangi, Kousik Mukherjee on Keyboard and Arindam Ghosh on Guitar.
