Vinod Kevin Bachan’s Odissi recital enthrals art lovers in Delhi

The Stein Auditorium at the India Habitat Centre radiated with grace and emotion as art lovers assembled for ‘Anantha Katha—Some Tales Never End’, a spellbinding solo Odissi recital by Vinod Kevin Bachan, recipient of the prestigious Bismillah Khan Yuva Puruskar from the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Presented under the revered mentorship of Guru Ranjana Gauhar, the Tuesday evening unfolded as a luminous confluence of rhythm, storytelling, and timeless artistry.

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The performance enraptured connoisseurs and admirers alike, weaving a seamless tapestry of spiritual depth, refined expression, and aesthetic elegance.

Anchored in the sacred Guru-Shishya parampara, Anantha Katha embodied the eternal continuum of Odissi, a tradition where devotion, discipline, and creativity intertwine in divine harmony.

Drawing from the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva, the fierce compassion of Goddess Durga, and the steadfast devotion of Sita, Vinod breathed life into stories that transcended mythological boundaries to reflect universal human emotion. The inclusion of the Pallavi, Odissi’s quintessential expression of pure dance, gracefully illuminated how rhythm and emotion flow through generations, evolving yet deeply rooted in heritage.

Reflecting on her disciple’s 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.”

Expressing his gratitude, Vinod Kevin Bachan said, “To present Anantha Katha under the guidance of my guru 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 experiences the same sense of timeless connection that Odissi has given me.”

Tracing the artistic lineage from Guru Mayadhar Raut to Guru Ranjana Gauhar and now to Vinod Kevin Bachan, Anantha Katha reaffirmed that Odissi is far more than a dance form, it is a living legacy. And as the curtain fell, it became clear that some tales, indeed, never end.