Bhubaneswar: The historic Mukteswar Temple will once again come alive with rhythm and grace as the three-day Mukteswar Dance Festival begins tomorrow, January 23, in the Odisha capital.
First launched in 1984, the festival has stood the test of time and earned a permeant place on the state’s cultural calendar. Over the years, it has grown into a much-anticipated celebration, drawing art lovers, connoisseurs, common audience and tourists from far and wide.
Staying true to its roots, the festival continues its format of solo, duet and group dance performances.
Organised by Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, Government of Odisha in association with the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi, the festival will kick off on January 23 and continue till January 25, against the backdrop of the 10th-century architectural marvel with a rounded arch resting on two pillars.
On the inaugural evening, Odissi dance Kaustavi Sarkar from USA will present a solo recital, while Bibhu Prasad Behera and Akankhya Das from Bhubaneswar will perform a duet. The evening’s group performance will be by the students of Biswanath Sangeetalaya, an Odissi dance institution in Cuttack.
On January 24, the stage will witness a solo performance by Rinku Kumar Sahoo from Sambalpur, while a duet by Rahul Varshney and Mridula Naik from Uttar Pradesh. The students of Tridhara, Bhubaneswar, will present group performance.
The festival will conclude on January 25 with a solo recital by Lucky Prajna Pratisthita Mohanty from Cuttack, a duet by Sayani Chakraborty and Subham Kumar Ojha from Bhubaneswar, and group dance presentation by the students of Odissi Dance Creation, Bhubaneswar.
