Int’l Odissi Dance Festival: The five-day International Odissi Dance Festival, organized by the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre under the Department of Odia Language, Literature, and Culture, concluded at Rabindra Mandap. The festival celebrated the enchanting classical dance form with mesmerizing performances by renowned dancers from India and abroad.
The morning session opened with a group performance of Mahishasura Mardini by the artists of Surya Gurukul, Cuttack. Highlights of the solo performances included Mohane Deli Chahi Go Agopriya by Nandita Priyadarshini Mahanti (Puri), Mangala Charana Pada Bande Gananaatha Guna Dhaama by Rekha Mahanti (Keonjhar), Geet Govinda Priye Charu Shile by Sangeeta Mansingh Singh (Mumbai), and Pran Sangini Re Kali Mu Ki Laaje Hudili by Divyadarshini Supakar (Bhubaneswar). The duet Pallavi by Lavisha Gulati and Sausha Singh (Uttar Pradesh) was well-received, as were performances by Isha Mukherjee (Siliguri) and the artists of Angika Institution, who presented Rudrashtaka.
In the afternoon session, the festival continued with a group presentation of Draupadi by Nrityavas Prerana Institution from West Bengal. Notable performances included Durga by Kavita Mishra and Raju Mishra (West Bengal), Vihag Pallavi by Meghambari Pradhan (Bhubaneswar), and Mangala Charana and Geet Govinda Shrita Kamala Kuch Mandal Pattadeep Pallavi by Nikita Das and Soham De. Anna Matviva (Russia) captivated the audience with Narayani Pallavi, while Brahmi Sadangi performed Shiva Archana. The session concluded with Shri Hanuman Chalisa by Nritya Upasana Peeth Institution.
The evening session began with a powerful solo presentation of Mangala Charana Jagannathku Pushpanjali by Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, a disciple of Guru Deb Prasad Das and Guru Pankaj Charan Das. Other highlights included Harshit by Swapnakalpa Anjana Dasgupta, Bhavagrahi by Sushanta Kumar Das, Mudita Pallavi and Abhinaya Jhagadi by Aishwarya Sanjay and Bhargavi Gajanan, and Panchadeva Stuti by Rozalin Sundaray. International artists Molnar Zedslike (Hungary) and Natasha Karmakar (Bengal) added global charm with Sanginire Chaha Benu Paniki and Banshi Svan. The grand finale, Nirvana, was presented by the artists of Odissi Dance Creations.
Notable Guests and Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony was graced by Dr. Niranjan Panda, All-India Secretary of Sanskar Bharati, renowned architect Rabinarayan Rath, and administrative officer of the Odissi Research Centre, Anuja Tarini Mishra. The event was compered by Dr. Mrutyunjay Rath, who seamlessly guided the proceedings.
This year’s festival celebrated the grandeur and intricacy of Odissi dance, further cementing its place on the global stage as a treasured art form.
