Bhubaneswar: As dusk gently descended over the Temple City on June 29, art lovers started arriving in droves at Bhanjakala Mandap auditorium as Shree Dance Academy organised its annual cultural festival ‘Nrutya Vilasa 2026’ with remarkable enthusiasm and impeccable execution.
Established in 2012 by celebrated Odissi exponent Guru Smt Namita Ray, Shree Dance Academy has carved a niche for itself by persistently preserving and promoting India’s rich heritage of classical and folk dance traditions.
Besides imparting Odissi dance training in strict accordance with the approved curriculum, it also organises two major festivals every year-its in-house festival ‘Nrutya Vilasa’ and ‘Shree Nrutyotsaba’.
The institution’s steady growth and the enduring success of these festivals stand as a testament to the unwavering dedication of Guru Smt Ray, an ‘A’ grade artiste of Doordarshan.
The programme was inaugurated with lighting the auspicious lamp by eminent Odissi exponent Smt. Snehaprava Samantaray, renowned Mardala Guru Satchidananda Das, eminent Odissi Guru Smt. Sujata Mishra, and former Additional Secretary of the Department of Steel & Mines, Government of Odisha, Arun Behera. Guru Smt Namita Ray was also present on the dais.
Before the commencement of the cultural evening, the academy presented its signature piece. Two artistes held a striking silhouette pose reminiscent of the Academy’s Pattachitra-inspired logo depicting Sri Krishna and Sri Radha, setting the tone for an evening steeped in tradition and artistic symbolism.
The cultural segment started with Mangalacharan ‘Namaste Namaste Bibhobiswamurthy’, followed by ‘Vachaspati Pallavi’, set to Raga Vachaspati, Tala Khemta. Choreographed by Guru Smt Namita Ray, music composed by Ravi Shankar Pradhan and rhythm by CSNA awardee Guru Satchidananda Das, the piece was marked by graceful movements, impeccable coordination and precision.
Suchitra, Sambhabi, Arshita, Aaradhya, Sachhi and Adwaita delivered a performance that earned thunderous applause from the audience.
Keeping the momentum of the evening, Jaya, Sonalin, Suryasmita, Jogamaya, Sipul, Shrutishree and Shreyashree brought different aspects of Sun God alive on the stage through ‘Suryastaka’, a salutation to the supreme source of life.
Choreographed by Guru Smt Namita Ray and music composed by Guru Ramhari Das, the piece left the art lovers enchanted.
The scene where the dancers forming the striking tableau of the Sun God’s chariot with driven by horses remained etched in this reviewer’s memory.
The devotional fervour continued with ‘Jaya Bhagabati’, set to Raga Bhairabi, Tala Jati, choreographed by Guru Smt Namita Ray and music composed by Guru Ramhari Das. Trisha, Anita, Mukta, Rishita and Praramita with their graceful movements and formations vividly portrayed the goddess’s iconic images, making the presentation a visual delight.
Adding a different touch to the evening, Sanvi, Sanvi, Shruti, Sutryamayee, Laxmi, Arshita, Yukta and Niraja presented a vibrant ‘Sambalpuri’ folk dance ‘Ame Ta Sambalpuria Nani’, prompting the art lovers to tap their feet to its infectious beats.
The mood continued with ‘Lavani’, Maharashtra’s celebrated folk dance, presented spiritedly by Shrutishree, Sambhavi and Adwaita. The ‘Sambalpuri’ and ‘Lavani’ were choreographed by Itisiksha Pradhan and Sambhavi Nayak respectively.
The spotlight then shifted to the Academy’s Puri branch, whose dancers Jahnabi, Subhashree, Trisha, Akanksha, Amanika and Arpita presented ‘Saraswati Mangalacharan,’ set to Raga Kedar Kalyan and Tala Ekatali. The piece was directed by Madhusmita Mohanty with music composed by Guru Sukant Kumar Kundu. The dancers’ neat presentation left the audience glued to their seats.
The evening gathered further momentum with three colourful folk dance presentations. ‘Pabana Gaae Geeta’, a Palli dance choreographed by Smt Gayatri Behera, presented by Sorali, Pratibha, Shrutisara, Gurupriya, Trupti Tamanna, Shreesanvi, Saistutee and Manaskriti.
This was followed by Assam’s spirited Bihu dance recital choreographed by Sambhabi Nayak and performed by Apurba, Satabhisha, Trisha, Arshita, Aaraddhya and Sachi. The sequence concluded with a lively Sambalpuri folk dance ‘Mahula Jhure’ choreographed by Guru Smt Ray and presented by Sipra, Baidehi, P Danisha, Navya, Sai Anjali and Jaishnabi.
The penultimate item, a scintillating Odissi abhinaya ‘Mana Uddharana’, under Guru Smt Namita Ray’s dance direction witnessed Dharitri, Subhadra, Sarita, Rekha, Puja and Shraddhanjali enthrall audience with their expressive abhinaya, controlled and gentle movements.
The festival’s curtains came down on a vibrant Sambalpuri dance recital ‘Jharire Jhara’, choreographed by Guru Smt Namita Ray and presented by Diptimanjari, Trisha, Anita, Rishita, Mukta and Praramita. Their spirited performance provided a fitting finale, leaving the audience thoroughly captivated.
Every performance reflected the dedication, discipline, and artistic excellence nurtured by Shree Dance Academy.
Altogether, 75 students from Shree Dance Academy’s Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri branches, ranging from junior to senior levels, participated in the festival.
The productions were meticulously coordinated under the guidance of Smt. Madhusmita Mohanty, Smt. Gayatri Behera, Shraddha Mohanty, and Sambhabi Nayak, whose dedicated and collective efforts ensured the seamless execution of the programme.
The festival was organized under the leadership of Prafulla Kumar Pattnaik, president, and Guru Smt. Namita Ray, secretary of Shree Dance Academy.
The programme was gracefully compered by Dr. Mrutyunjay Rath, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Rajendra Narayan Ray, Treasurer of the Academy.
