Konark: The open air auditorium’s stage with the magnificent Sun Temple forming the backdrop here in Puri district came alive with the vibrant hues of Kuchipudi dance and graceful poetry of Odissi dance on the second evening of the 36th Konark Festival on Tuesday.
The evening commenced with the customary lighting the lamp ceremony by Minister of Higher Education, Sports and Youth Services, Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Suryavanshi Suraj; Moderator Archaeologist, ASI, Puri Circle, Dr. Dibisad Brajsunder Garnaik; Director of Tourism Department Deepankar Mohapatra, Collector & District Magistrate of Puri Divya Jyoti Parida, Additional Secretary of Tourism Department Saroj Kumar Swain, Additional Director of Tourism Department Biswajit Routray; Secretary of Odisha Sangeet Natak Academy Dr. Chandrashekhar Hota and CDO and EO of Puri District Council Priya Ranjan Prusti.
The evening kicked off with scintillating performances by Guru Vyjayanthi Kashi & Group from Shambhavi School of Dance, Bengaluru. Their production ‘Dharmāyana’ explores the avatars of Lord Vishnu, each symbolizing the eternal principles of Dharma and cosmic balance.
The dancers had the audience in thralls with their nuanced storytelling and flawless technique.
The stage then blossomed into the lyrical beauty of Odissi dance as Guru Sharmila Biswas and Group from Odissi Vision & Movement Centre, Kolkata took over. The artistes commenced their presentation with ‘Mahalakshmi Stotram’, bringing to life the powerful imagery of the goddess holding the Shanka, Chakra, Gada, and Padma. Inspired by Patachitra art, sculptures, and traditional shadow puppetry, the choreography creates a visually rich presentation.
They followed it up with ‘Abartan–Bibartan’ a delightful exploration of the rhythm hidden in everyday gestures, transforming ordinary actions into extraordinary movement. Their concluding item was ‘Shrishti–Tatva’, which interprets the evolution of life through ancient wisdom and modern thought
The evening’s rich, diverse and visually arresting performances left an indelible impression on the audience.
The presence of esteemed art connoisseurs and tourists at the Konark Festival stands as a testament to the event’s allure and its ability to resonate with a diverse audience, promoting Odisha’s cultural heritage.
During the day, the 15th International Sand Art Festival added another layer of magic to the celebrations. Sand artists crafted intricate sand sculptures on themes of “Eco-Tourism & Wildlife” for male artists and “Environment & Climate Change” for female artists, bringing the beachside alive with creativity and artistic brilliance.
