Bhubaneswar: City art lovers are in for a cultural treat as Bimohana, a leading centre for Odissi dance, gears up to host the ninth edition of Bimohana Kala Samman festival at Bhanjakala Mandap here on February 23.
Bimohana, an Odissi dance institution in Odisha that has carved a niche for itself in Odisha’s cultural landscape, annually honours a distinguished Odissi dance guru, celebrating a lifetime dedicated to keeping the art form alive. This year, Padma Shri recipient Guru Smt Kumkum Mohanty will receive Bimohana Kala Samman for her immense contribution to the world of Odissi.
In what promises to be the highlight of the evening, Guru Kumkum Mohanty herself will take to the stage — a delightful gesture that has already set the tone for a memorable night.
The cultural soirée will feature an array of captivating performances.Senior Bimohana dancer Sushree Barsha Priyadarshini Sarangi will present a solo Odissi recital. Adding to the evening’s charm, Dipti Ranjan Baral and Himanshu Sekhar Ray from Orissa Dance Academy and Sushree Lopamudra Sahoo and Sushree Anjali Dash will present duet Odissi dance recitals.
The only group presentation of the evening will be by Subhalaxmi Padhi and her troupe from Utkal Dance and Research Academy (UDRA).
Founded in 2016 by renowned Odissi exponent Guru Rashmi Ranjan Barik, Bimohana has steadily emerged as a nurturing ground for budding dancers, with a steadfast mission to popularise and preserve the classical dance tradition.
Notably, Kalasanskruti, Odisha’s only art and culture-dedicated web portal, has joined hands with Bimohana as the festival’s media partner.
With grace, legacy and youthful energy sharing the same stage, this year’s Bimohana Kala Samman promises to be an evening to remember.
