Bhubaneswar: The 18th edition of three-day long Dhauli-Kalinga Mahotsav at the foot of Dhauli hill concluded with a grand success on Thursday.
The customary lighting the lamp ceremony was followed by award giving ceremony.
This year, the prestigious Ruchi Buddha Samman award was presented to Prof. (Mrs) Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi, renowned Odissi danseuse and Former Vice Chancellor, Sambalpur University for her lifetime contribution in the field of Odissi.
The concluding evening’s first presentation was a tabla recital by Pramod Kumar Sahoo and Group from the institute of Colors of Rhythm, Bhubaneswar.
The synchronisation spoke volume of the group’s training and rehearsal. They presented traditional tabla playing system with peshkar, different type of kayda, jaati, gat, rela, tukra, chakradhar and many more traditional style of tabla playing.
The second item of the concluding evening was a mesmerizing Odissi dance by the students of Orissa Dance Academy, Bhubaneswar led by Guru Aruna Mohanty.
They had presented Aashara Kirana (Rays of Hope) based on the SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) of Cuttack.
The item narrates how the SCBMCH comes into existence and how it brings the lost smile back on the lakhs of faces.
While the item was conceptualised and choreographed by Padma Shri awardee Guru Aruna Mohanty, the dancers translated it so brilliantly on the stage that the connoisseurs and common audience remained glued to their seats throughout the presentation.
The concluding evening’s last presentation was martial dance Thang-Ta by Shri G. Biseshwor Sharma & Group from Huyen Lallong Manipur Thang-Ta Cultural Association, Manipur.
Their first item was Thang Leiteng Haiba one of the martial art form of Thang-Ta has been done by holding two swords or one sword and one shield during the war followed by Thang-Ta Chainaba means fighting with a spear and a swordsman.
Their next item was Cheirol Jagoi which means stick dance performed by holding 3 stick of different sizes comprising of various different steps speedy styles of movement which attracts and enthrall the audience followed by Thang-Chungoi Yannaba means duel fighting of sword with shield.
Next, they brought Thangjou Ani Yannaba, which means fighting of two dagger man. The following item was Thabi Kakpa, which means Cucumber cutting and their last item was Thang Ahum Yannaba, which means triple fights one versus two men.
Dancers’ energetic and skillful performance left the audience only wanting more.
The dignitaries who graced the occasion were Dr. Justice S. Muralidhar, Chief Justice, Odisha High Court; Shri R. Balakrishnan, Chief Advisor, Chief Minister’s Office; Shri Satyananda Mishra, President, Orissa Dance Academy; Shri Durga Prasad Mohapatra, Additional Secretary, Tourism Department; Smt. Puja Mishra, Joint Secretary, Tourism Department; Guru Aruna Mohanty, Secretary, Orissa Dance Academy and Guru Ileana Citaristi, Secretary, Art Vision.
The programme was anchored by Dr. En. Srinivas Ghatuari and Tarini Tanuja Mishra.
The 18th Dhauli Kalinga Mahotsav organised by Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha in collaboration with Orissa Dance Academy, Bhubaneswar and Art Vision, Bhubaneswar.
Photo courtesy: Odisha Tourism
