Bhubaneswar: Under the auspices of the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi on Wednesday celebrated the ‘World Dance Day’ at Rabindra Mandap here, turning the evening into a vibrant showcase of the state’s rich artistic heritage.
The event was formally inaugurated by speaker Smt Surama Padhi; Special Secretary, Culture Department, Debaprasad Das and secretary, Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Chandrasekhar Hota by lighting the ceremonial lamp.
In her address, speaker Smt Padhi said Odisha’s art and culture is very rich, and the Odissi dancers and folk dance artistes have carved out a unique identity for Odisha on the global stage. She also expressed hope that the artistes will take Odisha’s art and culture to distant corners in the years ahead.
The cultural evening commenced with the artistes of Soormandir, a Cuttack-based Odissi dance institution, presenting an invocatory ‘Gajanana’, followed by a dance drama ‘Sangeeta’.
The spotlight then shifted to eleven performers of Suryajyoti Kala Kendra, who presented ‘Bal Gopalstakam’, choreographed by Padma Shri Guru Durga Charan Ranbir and music composed by Pandit Gopal Panda. Here, the artistes beautifully depicted the playful childhood of Lord Krishna, leaving the art lovers enchanted.
The evening was then unfolded like a cultural tapestry, featuring a series of captivating folk dance performances. While the mesmerising ‘Pashu Mukha Dance’ performances by the artistes of Sri Sri Sri Chaitanya Nityananda Ghanta Mrudanga Sangha from R BBinchanapalli, Ganjam added a touch of mystique, ‘Chhau Dance’ by the artistes of Uttarasahi Chhau Nrutya Pratisthana from Nichuapada, Mayurbhanj kept the momentum going. Similarly, ‘Ghumura Dance’ by the artistes of Mahavir Sanskrutika Anusthana from Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi, ‘Sambalpuri Dance’ by Basudev Sa and his group from Dulduli Kala Parishad from Bolangir and ‘Dhemsa Dance’ by Kulamani Jena and his group from Sorishapadar, Koraput added the earthly charm to the evening.
While the carefully-chosen performances struck the right chord and left the audience glued to their seats, the delayed start of cultural evening left some art lovers less than pleased.
