Konark: Five-day-long Konark Festival held here in the backdrop of architectural marvel Sun temple came to an end on Monday. The concluding evening witnessed Odissi and Kuchipudi dance performances presented by Pravat Kumar Swain and Group from Nrutya Naivedya from Bhubaneswar and Jaikishore Mosalikanti and Group of Shivamohanam from Chennai respectively.
After the customary lighting the lamp ceremony, the cultural evening started with Odissi dance recitals by Pravat Kumar Swain and Group. The artistes presented Surya Bandana, Pallavi and Sada Ripu choreographed by Guru Pravat Kumar Swain. The performances were based on Hindu mythology and vedic scriptures.
The second half of the show saw two excellent Kuchipudi performances by Jaikishore Mosalikanti & Group of Shivamohanam from Chennai. The troupe performed Tarangam depicted on Hindu deity Shri Krishna and Thillana that is usually performed for the finale of most South Indian classical dance repertoires.
The performances were based on Raag Kalyani and Adi Talam and were choregraphed by Shri Jaikishore Mosalikanti.
During the finale of the 12th International Sand Art Festival being held in Chandrabhaga beach, sand artists participating in the festival for the past five days were felicitated for showcasing the best of this unique artform. The theme of the day was ‘World Peace’ and ‘Tribal Culture’ based on which captivating sand sculptures were created.
Justice Orissa High Court Shri Pradip Kumar Mohanty, IGP Central Range Shri Narasingha Bhol, Chairman Odisha Tourism Development Corporation Dr. Lenin Mohanty, Chief Security Officer East Coast Railway Shri PVS Santha Ram, Joint Director Tourism Shri Biswajit Routray, and President Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi Smt. Aruna Mohanty were among other dignitaries attending the festival.
Photo courtesy: Odisha Tourism
