Konark Festival kicks off after 2-year lull in Odisha
Organised at the open air auditorium against the magnificent backdrop of the Konark Sun Temple like every year, the five-day carnival regaled visitors spellbinding Odissi and Kathak dance performances on the inaugural day.
Bhubaneswar: After a hiatus of two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 33 rd edition of the Konark Festival kicked off after a virtual launch by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday. Organised at the open air auditorium against the magnificent backdrop of the Konark Sun Temple like every year, the five-day carnival regaled visitors spellbinding Odissi and Kathak dance performances on the inaugural day.
On day 1, danseuse Guru Ramli Ibrahim and his troupe held the rapt attention of the audience with their Odissi dance performance and Ram Leela followed by Kathak performance by Rajendra Gangani and his group from New Delhi-based Guru Kundanlal Gangani Foundation.
Day 2 saw Manipuri performance by L Upendro Sharma and group from Jawarharlal Nehru Academy, Imphal followed by Odissi presentation by Meera Das and troupe from Gunjan Dance Academy, Cuttack.
On Day 3, Odissi performance by Kolkata-based Mayur Lalit Dance Academy and Mohiniattam by Gopika Verma and group of Dasyam Centre (Chennai) are on the schedule. Day 4 will see Bharatnatyam by Chennai-based Spanda Dance Company and later Pitambar Biswal and group from Bhubaneswar’s Suravi centre. Odissi by Bhubaneswar’s Nrutya Naivedya and Chennai’s Shivamohanam are slotted for the last day of the dance carnival.
All performances will be staged between 600 pm to 8.30 pm.
The Konark Dance Fest, a joint venture of Odisha Tourism and Odissi Research Centre, is touted to be one of the largest dance festivals in the State where classical dance forms of the country are showcased by celebrated dancers across the country.
The International sand art festival was also inaugurated on this occasion.
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