Ekakar (Unity in Diversity) presented by veteran Odissi exponent Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and his students explore this very sentiment. "Four gopis depict different aspects of Krishna in their own language, wearing regional costumes," explains Mohapatra.

In real life too, his four senior students, Anandi Ramachandran, Daksha Mashrawala, Debi Basu and Jhelum Paranjpye, belong to these different states. "In our case, Guruji was the binding force who brought us together to Orissa," says Ramachandran.

Apart from conveying the spirit of unity, the performance also delves into three facets of a woman's personality. Vande Mataram, composed by Mohapatra to commemorate 50 years of Indian Independence, looks at the woman as a mother. As Debi Basu explains, the mother does not denote India alone, but the earth as a whole."Just as a mother gives birth to a child and feeds and nurtures him, mother earth provides us Jal (water) and Phal (fruit)," says Mohapatra.

In Mahishasurvardini, the woman as power, `shakti', is described. "Each of us have learnt this item as a solo piece from Guruji. On Friday, we shall present a newly choreographed piece depicting how Durga uses her 10 astra (weapons) to kill Mahishasur," says Basu.

The third facet of woman as a lover is described in Ekakar. The recital will also have traditional Odissi items like Pallavi and an excerpt from the Geet Govinda (Hari reh) performed by young students of senior performers.

The entire recital was performed at the Khajuraho festival, recently. It is through the efforts of Udayan, a city-based cultural organisation headed by Amita Banerjee, that Mumbai audiences will get a glimpse of the festival.

Ekakar ends with Mohapatra himself performing to Sanskrit lyrics. "He is the Parampurush. Let us worship himin a single taal and sur," says Mohapatra, explaining why he ends with an invocation to the Blue God, "He represents our Dharma . We are scared only of our Dharm. If we do not respect it, our art is meaningless."

At Tata Theatre, NCPA. On October 9, 1998. Time: 6.30 pm. Tickets are available at the NCPA box office.