Bhubaneswar: The two-day-long Bal Prativa and Yuva Prativa-2025, a national level classical and folk dance festival, organised by Nrutyakala Dance Academy was held at Ekamra Haat open theatre on January 4 and 5.
Nrutyakala Dance Academy was established in 2010 by noted Odissi dancer Dr Jyotirmayee Supakar and the sapling planted then has grown up now and become one of the premier dance institutions of the state.
The festival witnessed scintillating performances of Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Chhau, Sambalpuri, Ghumar and semi classical dances presented by over 150 artistes coming from different parts of the state as well as from out of the state.
On the inaugural evening, Bhubaneswar Central MLA Ananta Narayan Jena, vocalist Manoj Kumar Mati, percussionist Guru Tarini Prasad participated as the guests, lit the auspicious lamp and felicitated the artistes.Similarly, Trilochan Baral from the Culture Department, Bhdhadeb Das, and Odissi dance guru Gayatri Mishra attended the concluding evening as the esteemed guests, lit the auspicious lamp and felicitated the artistes.
On both evenings, the artistes were felicitated with ‘Bal Prativa’ and ‘Yuva Prativa’ Samman. The host institution also honoured the guests with shawl and pattachitra of Lord Jagannath as a token of love and appreciation.
Both evenings started at around 2pm and continued till 9pm, witnessed a huge gathering of art lovers who found the festival an entertaining one.
Worth mentioning, While Santosh Kumar Mohapatra and Sharmistha Mohapatra managed the evenings beautifully, Dr Supakar and her daughter Sharmistha Mohapatra gave the vote of thanks.
