Bhubaneswar: International Arka Dance Festival organised by Dasee Cultural Village under the aegis of Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Government of Odisha got off to a colourful start showcasing varied aspects of classical dance repertoire through the legendary, established and senior dancers of repute who captivated the audience by their splendid performances. The objective of the festival is to experience the beauty and grace of Indian Classical and Folk dance presented by the dancers from across the world. The two-days dance programme was commenced at 10.00 AM and continued till 10.00 PM with morning, afternoon and evening sessions at Bhanja Kala Mandap, Bhubaneswar.
In the inaugural day morning session started with Odissi solo dance by Adyasha Malik, Madhuksara Mishra, Saloni Das, Anuska Sukla, Arin Mishra, Sanika Dash, Sujal Sai Krishna Behera, Rupashree Pathy and Pragyan Paramita Parida. Solo Bharatnatyam dance by Tisya Murmu, Anjusha Jena and Adwita Ayaansha Mohanty. Group Bharatnatyam dance by Tata Vedika, Pujysritha Doddapaneni, Divyanshi Priyadarshini Jena, Aratrika Bhuyan and Arvika Ray. Group Odissi dance by Debangi Padhi, Shreejita Behera, Sruti Samparna Sharma, Shradha Mahapatra and Sujal Sai Krishna Behera. Sambalpuri Group dance by Deepanwita Jena, Kaushikee Das, Shanaya Khan, Aarohi Sahoo, Rudrakshi Das, Sanmita Chakraborty, Vanhishikha Sa, Abhipsha Akshita Das and Lovly Nayak.
In the afternoon session Odissi Solo Dance performed by D Sai Shreeyanshi, Baishakhi Bhuyan, Aditi Baishnab, Manisa Nanda, Pratyasha Sahoo, Ananya Jugade, Abahani Jena, Sai Soumyakanta, Sailaxmi Acharya, Cioni Champati, Sai Shreya Rout, Mihika Behera. Odissi duet performed by Bidusmita Rout & Arya Abhilasha Jena, Sushree Sucharita Behera & Jingyasha Ojha, Subhapriya Khatua & Bipasa Behera, Saswati Mishra & Chinmayee Mishra. Group Odissi dance by Sai Sweta Swain, Pranjal Barik, Aurosmita Priyadarshini Behera, Samikshya Routray and Chinmayi Roy. Another Group Odissi dance by A.R. Akshita, Arpita Behera and Adya Aradhya Behera. Afternoon last presentation was Group Odissi Dance by Sailaxmi Acharya, Rasmita Das, Manisha Nanda, Subhapriya Khatua, Bipasa Behera and Bhabyata Sahoo.
Evening programme started with Solo Odissi dance by Aarohi Saw from Balasore, Tapasi Rath from USA, Suchilagna Panigrahi from USA, Bhagyashree Patnaik from Berhampur, Sushree Sangita Jena from Puri, Priyanka Rudranshi from Bhubaneswar, Sipulu Rout from Jaypur and Shrabanti Bhatacharjee Misra from Bhubaneswar. Duet Odissi dance made by Vidisa Routary & Soumya Priyadarshini Mohanta and Jyotirmayee Supakar & Sushree Sarnistha Mohapatra. The Group presentation was made by the artistes coming from USA, they are Pragyan Dash, Ananya Bamidhipati, Disha Debadipta, Monika Samantaray, Ankita Priyadarshini, Ananya Das and Shreejita Mohanty. The art lovers of the city are getting more interested who throng in a large number to this International Arka Dance Festival organized by Dasee Cultural Village a leading dance institute in Bhubaneswar.
The dignitaries who graced the inaugural function were Soubhagya Routary, Chairman Shanktidham Foundation, Rajiv Lochan Panda, General Manager, Power Grid, Somya Ranjan Sahoo, BSE (Odisha Head), Dr. Bidisha Mohanty, Odissi Exponent, Aswini Kumar Sutar, NALCO. The programme was anchored and stage co-ordination by Kumar Bhimsen.
