Bhubaneswar: Three-day long Mukteswar Dance Festival, organised by Odisha Tourism in association with Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi, kick started in the lawns of the iconic 10th century Mukteswar Temple in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.
Following the set tradition, the programme began with the ‘Shiva Vandana’ recited by Pt. A. Maheswar Rao & Group of Nad Ninad, Cuttack. The inaugural item was a solo presented by accomplished Odissi danseuse, Meera Das, founder of Gunjan Dance Academy, Cuttack. She performed an abhinaya ‘Shabari’, an episode from Ramayan. This captivating performance set the mood of the festival, leaving dance connoisseurs hooked to their seats.
The second item of the evening was a duet on ‘Sri Rama Stuti’ by Preetisha Mohapatra and Reebdhita Barua from Srjan, Bhubaneswar.
The third and concluding performance was a group Odissi recital by the students of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Bhubaneswar. This performance highlighted aspects of ‘Shakti’.
Following the Mukteswar Dance Festival (14 – 16 January), Odisha Tourism is scheduled to organise the Rajarani Music Festival on the premises of Rajarani Temple from 18 to 20 January, 2021. All festivals and events of Odisha Tourism are organised in complete adherence to COVID-19 Safety Protocols.
Among the guests who attended the inaugural evening included Pradeep Kumar Jena, DC & ACS, Vishal Kumar Dev, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Shreemayee Mishra, Chairperson, OTDC, Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav, Director Tourism and Guru Aruna Mohanty, Secretary, Orissa Dance Academy.
By kalasanskruti
Photo courtesy: Odisha Tourism
