Bhubaneswar: A global confluence of arts through the twin annual events of the Konark Festival and the International Sand Art Festival are all set to enthral and captivate connoisseurs at Odisha’s prime coastal tourism hub of Konark in Puri district from December 1 till 5.
The 31st edition of the Konark Festival organised by Odisha Tourism will be held at the open air auditorium with the magnificent Konark Sun Temple forming the backdrop.
The event showcases the best of India’s traditional and classical dance forms, besides offering interesting insights into the rich cultural heritage of the country. A solitary splendour par excellence, folklore and mythology have created layers of legends shrouding the genesis of this world heritage monument built in the 13th century A.D.
Leading exponents and dance enthusiasts of almost all main classical dance forms of India including Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Manipuri, Kuchipudi and Kathak will take part in the five-day classical dance carnival, adding to the appeal of the event that has few parallels elsewhere.
Every evening will witness two dance presentations from 6.00pm to 8.30pm.
The inaugural evening will see an Odissi dance presentation by Padmashree Aruna Mohanty and group of Orissa Dance Academy, Bhubaneswar and a Bharatanatyam recital by Sheela Unnikrishnan and group of Sridevi Nrithyalaya, Chennai.
Bimbavati Devi and group of Manipuri Nartanalaya, Kolkata will perform Manipuri dance and Sharmila Mukherjee and group of Sanjali Ensemble, Bengaluru will perform Odissi dance on the second evening.
The third evening will see an Odissi dance recital by Madhulita Mohapatra and group of Nrityantara, Bengaluru and a Kuchipudi presentation by Vasanthalakshmi Narasimhachari and group of Kalasamarpan Foundation, Chennai.
The fourth evening will have a Kathak (Ballet) presentation by Vikram Iyengar and group of Ranan, Kolkata and an Odissi dance recital by Bichitrananda Swain and group of Rudrakshya Foundation, Bhubaneswar.
On the concluding day, an Odissi dance recital will be presented by the students of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre, Bhubaneswar and a Kathak dance presentation by Aditi Mangaladas and group of Dristikona Dance Foundation, New Delhi.
Similarly, the 9th edition of the International Sand Art Festival with Padmashree Awardee and globally renowned sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik as its brand ambassador and
chief curator will be held coinciding with the Konark Festival, on the pristine Chandrabhaga Beach, three km away from the Sun Temple. The event will span the
entire day from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Keeping in view the COVID-19 global pandemic the event will be organised following COVID-19 guidelines and protocols issued by Government of Odisha and Government of India. Due care shall be taken for entry of visitors, maintaining social distancing and sanitizations. The event of 2020 will witness participation of 70 artists from across India and within the state.
By kalasanskruti
