The International Odissi Dance Festival, organised by the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre under the auspices of the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department, continued to captivate audiences on its second evening at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar.
The event, which runs until December 30, showcases a vibrant array of solo, duet, and group performances, highlighting the rich heritage of Odissi dance.
Renowned dancer Nandini Ghosal stole the show with her enchanting rendition of poet Jayadeva’s *Geetagovinda*. Through graceful postures and intricate mudras, she vividly portrayed the emotional depth of Radha, while the characterizations of Krishna, Radha, and Chandravali left the audience spellbound.
The day’s program kicked off with the morning session, featuring a group performance by the Adruta Dance Group titled “Mangalacharan Gurubrahma, Guruvishnu Gurudeva Maheshwara.” This was followed by solo acts, including Sudiksha Panda’s abhinaya “Shrita Kamala Kucha Mandala,” Sai Smriti’s “Kiravani Pallavi,” and a duet “Shankarabhara Pallavi” by Rashmita Maharana and Sabitri Mahapatra. Other highlights included Gayatri Sethi’s abhinaya “Navadurga,” a duet abhinaya “Jaya Jaya Jagannath Nilagiripati” by Pritimayee Bas and Barsha Das, Dipika Priyadarshini’s “Durga Tandav,” and a group abhinaya “Dashavatara” by artists from the Nrityayan institution.
In the afternoon session, artists from the Nehru Colony Odissi Ashram presented “Shivastuti and Madhura Basanta.” Solo performances followed, with Abhipsa Pati’s abhinaya “Dekhiba Para Asare Prana Sangini,” a duet “Bilahari Pallavi” by Bashistha Jena and Ayush Gunaprabha, Manasi Madhusmita Padhi’s “Mohana Pallavi,” and an abhinaya “Ardhanarishwara” by Lakshmipriya Sahu and Satya Suryanshu. Deepjoy Sarkar’s “Kundalika” and a group abhinaya “Dasha Mahavidya” by Sri Dashavatara Natyashala rounded out the session.
The evening session featured distinguished dancer Prabhat Kumar Swain’s rendition of the ashtapadi “Kuru Yadu Nandana” from *Geetagovinda*. Subsequent performances included a duet by Yogita Bhasin and Bharda Bhaishampayan, solos by Jagatjit Das and Brinda Chadha, a duet by Srijani Nayak and Shrutishree Swain, solos by Arunima Acharya and Bani Ray, and a grand group Odissi dance by artists from the Aradhana Dance Foundation.
Notable dignitaries in attendance included Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department Dr. Bijay Ketan Upadhyay, Dr. Balaji Sinoy, renowned Odissi dancer Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, Smt. Dipti Mishra, and the administrative officer of the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre, Smt. Suchismita Mantri.
This year’s festival features around 350 dancers, including 15 international participants from countries such as the USA, France, Germany, Australia, and Malaysia, alongside artists from Indian states like Odisha, West Bengal, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh. Additional attractions include an Odissi-themed painting camp, the “Ama Odissi” selfie stand, and sand art installations inspired by Odissi dance, which have particularly drawn in the younger generation.
