Apr 01 2025 to Apr 01 2025 7 p.m.

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

Utkal Dibas kicks off with a lively discussion featuring Bishweshwar Das, who will delve into the history and charm of Cuttack, and Debashish Patnaik, who will explore the allure of Bhubaneswar. Although these two cities are only half an hour apart, loyal groups passionately debate which one holds the title of the better city. This spirited exchange forms the heart of the discussion, a tale of two cities, reflecting the deep-rooted rivalry between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. A Q&A session with the audience will follow.

The Odissi performance that follows, showcases the harmonious blending of the contrasting energies of the two Odissi dance vocabularies, each embodying its own unique vision and aesthetic. Madhusmita Mohanty and Shashwati Garai Ghosh collaborate to fuse their diverse approaches into a cohesive and intricate expression, showcasing the depth and versatility of the form in an interplay between Sakhi and Radha. A three-fold presentation with combined artistry of traditions, innovations and imaginations.

This event is part of BIC’s programmes to commemorate Odisha Day. The link to the other event is here.

Speakers & Artistes

Bishweshwar Das
Filmmaker
Bishweshwar Das, dreamt of making films right after his 10th (After watching the retrospectives of Satyajit Ray who had passed away that summer). But life had other plans. He meandered into engineering and a brief corporate life before his love for writing and photography landed him a job in advertising.

Having spent almost 2 decades in many ad agencies he began his filmmaking journey with a ‘A tale to begin with’, his tribute to the grand old man of Indian Poetry, Jayanta Mahapatra. The documentary is also a culmination of his love for his birth place Cuttack, his fondness for the written word specially verses and off course JM, whose first poem (The Captive air of Chandipur by Sea) he had read in that summer when Ray had passed away many moons ago. As they say life is a full circle.

Debasish Patnaik
Entrepreneur
Debasish Patnaik is the Managing Director of hotel CROWN, a 4-star business hotel in Bhubaneswar, and the founder of DALMA, a chain of restaurants promoting Odia cuisine with seven outlets across India. A former President of TiE Bhubaneswar, he is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship in Odisha and is a prominent angel investor. He is also the founder and chairman of Bhubaneswar Angels, the state’s first angel investing platform. Additionally, he authored BBI: Bhubaneswar Completes Seventy-Five Years.

Shashwati Garai Ghosh
Odissi Dancer
Shashwati Garai Ghosh is a prominent Odissi dancer of her generation, carving a distinct path in the world of dance. As the senior-most disciple of the internationally celebrated dancer and choreographer Sharmila Biswas, Shashwati’s training has profoundly shaped her artistry. She has received mentorship from legends such as Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan, Smt. Sonal Mansingh, Shri Durgacharan Ranbir, and specialised Dance Medicine Fitness training from Dr. Kannan Pughazendi.

Shashwati is the inaugural recipient of the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Pratibha Samman and has garnered numerous accolades, including the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for Odissi. In Kolkata, she founded Angashuddhi – Home for Odissi, an initiative dedicated to exploring, nurturing, and transmitting the art of Odissi to future generations. She delights in sharing her expertise through workshops and lecture-demonstrations at various institutions, schools, and colleges.
Shashwati has performed at prestigious festivals and venues both in India and abroad, as part of her guru’s ensemble and as a solo artist extensively, and now also exploring through her own ensemble.

Today, Shashwati stands as an independent artist, embracing a unique  approach to her craft. As a soloist, choreographer, performer, and educator, her body of work embodies grace, vigor, and genuine sensibilities, setting her apart in the realm of Odissi.

Madhusmita Mohanty
Odissi Dancer
Madhusmita Mohanty is a distinguished Odissi dancer with over 20 years of training under renowned gurus like Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, Guru Aruna Mohanty, and Guru Bichitrananda Swain at the Orissa Dance Academy. A topper of the Alankar Poorna in Odissi Dance from Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Mumbai, Madhusmita has performed extensively in India and abroad, including prestigious festivals such as the Bhagyachandra Festival, Khajuraho Festival, Konark Dance & Music Festival, and the International Odissi Festival in the USA. Madhusmita recently showcased her production ‘KALPARUPA’ at NCPA, Mumbai.

She is the recipient of Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, Mahari Samman, Nalco Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra Prativa Samman, and more. She is an empanelled artist of ICCR and a Senior National Fellowship recipient from the Govt. of India. As a teacher, Madhusmita has imparted training at Orissa Dance Academy and internationally, including in the USA.