Bhubaneswar: With the Peace Pagoda or better known as Shanti Stupa at Dhauli forming the perfect backdrop, the 2nd day of 18th Dhauli-Kalinga Mahotsav witnessed a beautiful blend of Indian classical and folkdance forms with renowned artists showcasing Bharatnatyam, Kathak and Prahallada Natak.
The opening act of the evening was Bharatnatyam classical dance performance by Praveen Kumar & Group of Chithkala School of Dance, Bangalore. Their first item was Puspanjali set to Raga-Gambeera Nata and Tala-Adi followed by Krishnanjali set to Ragamalika, Tala-Adi and the dance was composed by Saint Purandaradasa.
Their last item was Thillana set to Raga -Kuntalavarali, Tala-Adi and the dance was composed by Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna.
All the three dance items were choreographed by P. Praveen Kumar.
The following item was a mesmerizing Kathak performance by Rekha Mehra & Group of Urvashi Dance & Cultural Society, New Delhi.
Their presentation was based on the description of the universe and how it is controlled by Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver) and Shiva (the destroyer). The item was choreographed by Dr Rekha Mehra and Barun Banerjee, music was composed by Pratip Banerjee and Shiv Shankar Ray.
The concluding presentation of the evening was Prahallada Natak by Guru Gajendra Panda & Group of Tridhara Dance Academy from Ganjam, Odisha.
Prahallada Natak is based on the Narasimha incarnation of Lord Vishnu and has been conceived and composed as a highly stylized form of theatre that contains both the elements of Natyadharma and Lakadharma.
Prahallada prays to Lord Vishnu and Vishnu emerges from a pillar in the form of Man-Lion and kills Hiranyakashipu.
The whole performance of this dance production comprises vigorous movement and war like stepping with different kinds and dimensions of martial arts. The dance was choreographed by Guru Gajendra Panda, music by Guru Ramahari Das and rhythm by Guru Dhaneswar Swain.
The dignitaries who graced the occasion were Satyananda Mishra, President, Orissa Dance Academy; Kumkum Mohanty, Eminent Odissi danseuse; Ranjan Kumar Das, Director, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department; Puja Mishra, Joint Secretary, Tourism Department; Ellora Bharati Jena, Joint Secretary, Tourism Department; Santanu Kumar Mohanty, General Manager, OTDC Ltd.; Guru Ratikanta Mohapatra, Director, Srjan; Guru Aruna Mohanty, Secretary, Orissa Dance Academy and Guru Ileana Citaristi, Secretary, Art Vision. The programme was anchored by Dr. En. Srinivas Ghatuari and Tarini Tanuja Mishra.
Photo courtesy: Odisha Tourism
