Konark: The third evening of the 36th Konark Festival kicked off on a high note with the Lamp Lighting Ceremony graced by Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism Balwant Singh, Puri A.D.M Sarat Chandra Behera, and DFO Puri Wildlife Division Magar Dhanaji Raoso at the Sun Temple’s open air auditorium at Konark in Puri on Wednesday.
Their presence lent a touch of gravitas to the proceedings, marking the beginning of yet another culturally vibrant evening at the annual festival that continues to celebrate India’s artistic heritage in all its splendour.
The evening began with spellbinding Odissi performances by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra and group of Srjan Ensemble, Bhubaneswar, presenting ‘Adviteeyam’, choreographed by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra himself.
Set to rhythmic and musical compositions by Pt. Bhubaneswar Mishra, Pt. Raghunath Panigrahi & Agnimitra Behera, ‘Adviteeyam’ emerged in a world shaped by swift technological change, seeking the modern within the ancient by reviving timeless wisdom rooted in tradition. Inspired by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra’s immortal legacy, the presentation kept his spirit alive even as it forged new creative frontiers in Odissi.
The colourful tapestry the artistes wove on the stage left the art lovers captivated.
Next, the artistes of Kerala Kalamandalam, Kerala presented mesmerising Kathakali performance. They presented ‘Duryodhana Vadha’, an item by Vayaskara Aryan Narayanan Moosad (1841-1902) is a Kathakali play that dramatizes pivotal moments from the Mahabharata, tracing the rise of Duryodhana’s arrogance and his ultimate downfall.
The play unfolds through the episodes of deceit, humiliation, exile, and vengeance that shape the moral and emotional landscape of the epic.Each scene was enacted with such precision and emotional depth that the audience was left glued to their seats.
Earlier in the day, the 15th International Sand Art Festival at Chandrabhaga Beach witnessed sand artists from India and abroad creating visually stunning sculptures on the themes of “Sea Life” for male artists and “Women Empowerment” for female artists.
The intricate carvings captured the imagination of visitors and highlighted the immense talent and creativity of participating artists. The sculptures, shaped against the backdrop of the serene coastline, drew admiration from tourists and locals alike.
The diverse collection of sand artworks showcased the finesse, precision and narrative depth that sand art can convey, leaving an indelible impression on onlookers.
International visitors from London, Spain, Japan, and beyond added colour to the festival, proving once again that Odisha’s cultural celebrations are making waves across the globe. Their enthusiastic participation and glowing feedback underscored the State’s continued efforts to put its cultural heritage on the world map.
The anchors of the evening were Dr Mrutyunjay Rath and Dr Nazia Alam.
