The fourth evening of the 36th Konark Festival, organised under the auspices of the Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, in collaboration with Sangeet Natak Akademi and Odisha Tourism Development Corporation, unfolded today with a captivating celebration of classical dance traditions.
Set against the majestic backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sun Temple of Konark, the evening showcased the timeless beauty of Manipuri and Odissi dance, reflecting India’s profound cultural heritage.
The evening began with a soulful presentation of Manipuri dance by the artists of Bimbavati Devi’s Manipuri Dance Theatre, Kolkata. Smt. Bimbavati Devi, a distinguished exponent with decades of experience, brought forth Lilakamla, a composition inspired by the traditional Gosthali dance, originally created by legendary musician Guru Bipin Singh. The performance depicted the heroic episodes from the life of Lord Krishna, seamlessly blending dance, rhythm, and music rooted in the Vaishnava traditions of Manipur. The choreography, designed by Smt. Bimbavati Devi, offered an immersive experience for the audience.
In the second segment, the stage was adorned with the grace and precision of Odissi dance, presented by Guru Bharat Charangir and the artistes of Bharati Dance Temple, Bhubaneswar. Their first presentation, Charukeshi Pallavi, showcased the lyrical beauty of the raga through refined movements and rhythmic complexity. The choreography by Guru Bharat Charangir, musical composition by Guru Dr. Vijay Kumar Jena, and rhythmic arrangements by Guru Dhaneswar Swain and Guru Ajay Kumar Chowdhury brought the composition to life.
Their second presentation, Gajanan, narrated the divine saga of Lord Ganesha, from Indra’s pride and the curse of Sage Durvasa to Ganesha’s beheading and rebirth with the head of a young elephant. The performance, choreographed by Guru Bharat Charangir with music by Guru Dr. Vijay Kumar Jena and rhythm compositions by Guru Dhaneswar Swain and Guru Ajay Kumar Chowdhury, received warm admiration from the audience.
The chief guests for the evening included Smt. Anu Garg, Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha; Shri Balwant Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism Department; and Shri Demarai Phankwal, General Manager, East Coast Railway. The dignitaries lit the ceremonial lamp near the Jagannath idol. Hon’ble Minister of Law, Works and Excise, Shri Prithiraj Harichandan, felicitated the performing teams.
Meanwhile, at Chandrabhaga Beach, the 15th International Sand Art Festival continued to attract enthusiastic visitors. The theme for the day was Unique India for male artists and Odisha Tourism for female artists. Sand sculptors from across the country and abroad showcased their talent through breathtaking artistry.
The Konark Festival will conclude tomorrow with Odissi performances by Guru Aarti Kar and her team from Utkal Dance and Research Academy, followed by Kathak presentations by Sanjukta Sinha and her troupe from the Sanjukta Sinha Dance Company. The Department of Tourism continues to welcome audiences to experience Odisha’s vibrant cultural heritage in this grand confluence of art, rhythm, and tradition.
