New Delhi,
The timeless beauty of Odissi found a profound expression at the India Habitat Centre, where eminent exponent Guru Ranjana Gauhar presented her disciple, Vinod Kevin Bachan, Bismillah Khan Yuva Puruskar awardee of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, in a solo recital titled Anantha Katha – Some Tales Never End. The performance, held on October 28 at the Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Center, was an evocative evening of rhythm, grace, and storytelling.
Drawing an audience of art connoisseurs, dancers, and cultural patrons, the event was received with great admiration. Bachan’s performance was marked by expressive depth, intricate rhythm, and spiritual resonance — a moving exploration of eternal narratives woven through classical movement and emotive storytelling.
Vinod Kevin Bachan with Guru Ranjana Gauhar
Vinod Kevin Bachan
Rooted in the Guru–Shishya parampara, Anantha Katha reflected both continuity and renewal within the Odissi tradition. The choreography drew inspiration from the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva, the fierce compassion of Goddess Durga, and the steadfast devotion of Sita — celebrating the timeless essence of Indian mythology. Interlaced with Pallavi, Odissi’s hallmark of pure dance, the recital eloquently showcased how rhythm, discipline, and devotion transcend generations.
Vinod Kevin Bachan
Vinod Kevin Bachan
Reflecting on the performance, Guru Ranjana Gauhar shared, “Anantha Katha is not merely a performance — it is a celebration of continuity. The stories of our gods, goddesses, and heroines live on through memory, tradition, and dance. Through Pallavi and abhinaya, Vinod reflects how this eternal stream of storytelling continues to inspire and evolve, yet remains rooted in our great tradition.”
In turn, Vinod Kevin Bachan expressed, “To present Anantha Katha under my Guru’s guidance is both humbling and inspiring. These stories are not confined to mythology — they mirror our lives, our struggles, and our devotion. I hope the audience experienced the same sense of timeless connection that Odissi has given me.”
From the illustrious lineage of Guru Mayadhar Raut to Guru Ranjana Gauhar, and now to Vinod Kevin Bachan, Anantha Katha carries forward the unbroken chain of storytelling through dance — a living testament that some tales, indeed, never end.
