NTPC Korba transformed its cultural landscape into a realm of divine melody and timeless tradition on the evening of 24 January with the presentation of “Dharohar”, an exquisite Indian Classical Music and Dance Evening dedicated to the immortal legacy of the legendary maestro Annapurna Devi. Celebrated in the sacred spirit of Basant Panchami, the programme stood as a heartfelt tribute to India’s rich musical and artistic heritage — truly embodying the meaning of Dharohar, a treasured legacy.
The prestigious event was held at Ambedkar Bhawan, NTPC Korba Township, and commenced with the warm and dignified welcome of guests and dignitaries. The Chief Guest, Shri Bibhas Ghatak, along with Smt. Subhra Ghatak, President, Maitri Mahila Samiti, and senior NTPC officials, were graciously received, setting the tone for an evening steeped in reverence, elegance, and cultural pride.
The evening unfolded as a spiritual and artistic offering, resonating deeply with the ethos of Basant Panchami — the festival of learning, music, and creativity. The thoughtfully curated ensemble featured five eminent artists, each a torchbearer of India’s classical traditions:
- Pt. Debaprasad Chakraborty – Sitar
- Pt. Sudip Chattopadhyay – Flute (Bansuri)
- Rupak Mitra – Tabla
- Kishan Kumar Dewangan – Hindustani Classical Vocal
- Kalpana Sahu – Kathak (Classical Dance)
The programme began with captivating solo performances, allowing the audience to experience the depth and diversity of Indian classical art forms. From the meditative resonance of the sitar and the lyrical flow of the bansuri, to the rhythmic intricacies of the tabla, the emotive richness of classical vocals, and the graceful expressions of Kathak, every presentation stood as a tribute to the enduring inspiration of Annapurna Devi.
As the evening progressed, the atmosphere reached a crescendo with a grand jugalbandi, where all the artists came together in a sublime confluence of rhythm, melody, and movement. The collaborative finale created a mesmerising tapestry of sound and expression, leaving the audience deeply moved and enthralled.
In a gracious closing gesture, all artists were felicitated with traditional Dokra mementos and Kosa shawls, symbolising both honour and the deep cultural roots that Dharohar sought to celebrate.
About the Artists:
- Kishan Kumar Dewangan, a young and exceptionally promising Hindustani classical vocalist from Rajim, Chhattisgarh, has been trained at the Indira Kala Music University, Khairagarh, under Pt. Satish Laxman Rao Indurkar of the Gwalior Gharana. Currently a disciple of Pt. Kaivalya Kumar Gurav and a scholar at the Dr. Gangubai Hangal Gurukul, Karnataka, his gayaki reflects the essence of the Kirana Gharana with soulful alaaps, expansive taans, and refined bol-taans and sargam.
- Kalpana Sahu, a B-Grade Artist of Doordarshan Kendra, Raipur, is a trained Kathak dancer under Dr. Gunjan Tiwari. A graduate and postgraduate student of Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, she has performed at prestigious platforms including the Khajuraho Mahotsav and major cultural events organised by ISKCON Bilaspur.
- Pt. Debaprasad Chakraborty, one of India’s finest sitar exponents, was trained in the Senia–Maihar Gharana under Pt. Ajay Shinha Roy and further enriched by Pt. Gokul Nag of the Bishnupur Gharana. Known for his Dhrupad-based style, he has performed at leading national and international music festivals.
- Pt. Sudip Chattopadhyay, a leading bansuri maestro of the Pannalal Ghosh tradition, is a Top-Grade Artist of All India Radio, Kolkata and the only ICCR-approved classical flute artist from West Bengal since 1992. A postgraduate from Rabindra Bharati University, he has performed at AIR National Programmes, Sangeet Natak Academy, ICCR, and the renowned Dover Lane Music Conference.
- Rupak Mitra, a distinguished tabla exponent, trained initially under Sri Sajal Karmakar of the Farukhabad Gharana and later under the legendary Pt. Samar Saha of the Benaras Gharana. An M.Phil from Rabindra Bharati University and a B-Grade Artist of All India Radio, Kolkata, he has performed extensively in India and abroad.
Through Dharohar, NTPC Korba once again reaffirmed its commitment to preserving and nurturing India’s cultural and spiritual heritage. More than a concert, the evening was a luminous celebration of tradition, devotion, and artistic excellence — an experience that will remain etched in the collective memory of all who witnessed it.
