Dhenkanal: After the success of its inaugural edition, the second edition of the Nabagunjar Dance and Music Festival is all set to return, promising a vibrant celebration of art, music and culture for art lovers.
Organised by Abhinaya Foundation, the festival will be held at Art and Craft Center, Dhenkanal on September 6, from 9 AM to 9 PM.
Like the previous year, this year care has been taken that the impressive line-up of performances keep audiences spellbound throughout the day.
One of the major highlights of the festival is the felicitation ceremony. This year, the prestigious Abhinaya Gurushree Award 2026 will be conferred upon eminent sculptor Padma Shri recipient Adwaita Gadanayak for his outstanding contribution to the field of art.
Similarly, The Nabagunjar Nrutya Prerana Award 2026 and Abhinaya Social Excellence Award 2026 will be presented to noted Odissi dancer Smt Minakshi Rani Jena and Bajaranga Club respectively.
The cultural evening will feature a rich array of performances, including Odissi, Kuchipudi and folk dance performances alongside a Hindustani vocal recital.The evening’s another attraction will be a fusion presentation featuring Mardala, violin, flute and vocal music.
The Abhinaya Foundation was established by young and talented Mardala player Alok Ranjan Dash in 2023. With Suchismita Manna and Rashmita Patel being the president and secretary of the foundation, it has steadily expanded its cultural activities and outreach.
The foundation’s round the year activities include its annual festival ‘Asara’, Abhinaya Talent Show, workshops and a range of social initiatives aimed at promoting art and nurturing emerging talent.
This year, Kalasanskruti, Odisha’s dedicated art and culture web portal, has joined hands with Abhinaya Foundation as the media partner.
With a bouquet of mesmerising performances, the second edition of Nabagunjar promises to be a memorable day for Dhenkanal’s art and culture enthusiasts.
