Konark Festival 2nd Day: The second evening of the 36th Konark Festival witnessed a spectacular showcase of classical dance forms against the iconic backdrop of the Sun Temple. The open-air auditorium came alive on Tuesday with captivating Kuchipudi and Odissi presentations.
The evening began with the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony. Those present were Minister of Higher Education, Sports and Youth Services, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Suryavanshi Suraj; Moderator Archaeologist, ASI Puri Circle Dr. Dibisad Brajsunder Garnaik; Director of Tourism Department Deepankar Mohapatra; Puri Collector & District Magistrate Divya Jyoti Parida; Additional Secretary of Tourism Department Saroj Kumar Swain; Additional Director Biswajit Routray; Secretary of Odisha Sangeet Natak Academy Dr. Chandrashekhar Hota; and CDO & EO of Puri District Council Priya Ranjan Prusti.
The cultural extravaganza opened with a scintillating Kuchipudi performance by Guru Vyjayanthi Kashi & Group from the Shambhavi School of Dance, Bengaluru. Their production, Dharmāyana, depicted the avatars of Lord Vishnu, symbolising dharma and cosmic balance. The group\’s expressive storytelling and precision enthralled the audience.
The stage then transitioned to the elegance of Odissi dance as Guru Sharmila Biswas & Group from the Odissi Vision & Movement Centre, Kolkata, took the spotlight. They began with Mahalakshmi Stotram, presenting vivid imagery inspired by Patachitra, sculptures, and traditional shadow puppetry.
This was followed by Abartan–Bibartan, a unique interpretation of rhythmic patterns found in everyday gestures. Their concluding piece, Shrishti–Tatva, explored the evolution of life through ancient wisdom, drawing from the Puranas and Jayadeva’s Dashavatar.
The performers’ graceful movements, synchronisation, and visual storytelling captivated the gathering, leaving a deep impression on art lovers and tourists alike. Their presence highlighted the festival’s cultural appeal and its role in celebrating Odisha’s artistic heritage.
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