OdishaLIVE Bureau
Connoisseurs of dance experience an unforgettable taste of devotion and elegance in the fourth evening of Konark Festival in the Open-Air Auditorium. Renowned artiste of Manipur style, Bimbabati Devi with her artistes of Manipuri Nartanalaya set the motion with Kathokchaba an offering to the Lord, Guru and to the august audience.
The dance depicted the grace and beauty of Lord Krishna and his dance recital. The next item, Saajat, enumerated the gait of various animals and birds in a picturesque way. This was followed by Mahashakti describing the undying energy and power of Goddess Jagaddhatri.
The next composition was Vasanta inspired by the advent of spring as described in Geeta Govinda of Sri Jayadev. The Minipuri dance recital was concluded with Jaya Jaya Deva Hare, portraying the traditional clap dance seen in Rathayatra in Manipur.
The next performance was in Odissi by Daksha Mashruwala and artistes of Kaishiki with Mangalacharan -the invocatory piece to Nabagraha. Mangalacharan gave way to Pallavi, the Pure dance, to be followed by Odia Abinaya Ahe Nila Sahila – Prayer to Lord Jagannath by devotional poet Salabega.
The concluding item was Basanta, depicting the advent of spring season, the season of joy and celebration.
The evening’s programme began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by V.C. Utkal University of Culture, Prof. Kamal Kanta Mishra, Dance Critics trio-Dr. Leela Venkatraman, Tapati Choudhury, Manjari Sinha, Director Tourism Nitin Bhanudas Jawale and Deputy Director Utpal Kumar Pati.
The programme was compered by Dr. Sadhana Srivastav and Dr. Mrutyunjaya Rath with the assistance from Secretary OSNA-Pradip Kumar Mishra, Dr. Sangita Gosain and officers of the Tourism department.
The Sand Art festival too attracted many visitors.
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