The State Tourism and Culture Department in collaboration with the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odishi Research Centre has organised the 9th International Odishi Dance festival from December 26 to 30 here.
In the inaugural day, classical dance lovers of the city witnessed 13 solo performances, three group dances and three duet dance pieces.The first presentation in the inaugural evening was by danseuse Dipti Routray. With Raag ‘Khamaj’ and Tal ‘Ek Tali,’ she performed on the song lajare Mu Sarigali Aaja. Her expression and body movements pulled the crowd’s attention.
A group of dancers of ‘Samprada’ dance organisation staged an impressive recital on patriotic song “Sarbesang no Janani Bharat.”They had mixed tribal folk dance including Sambalpuri folk in their dance piece.Dance performance of Suchismita Hota, Pankaj Kumar Pradhan, Aniket and Sneha’ duet dance pieces etc. were also main highlights of the evening.
Inaugurating the festival, Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, MP Prasanna Patsani, MlA Priyadarshi Mishra, Tourism and Culture Secretary Arabind Kumar Padhi, Sushil Kumar Das, Odishi exponent Dr Minati Mishra and Chief Executive of GKCM Prof Naba Kishore Mishra graced the occasion. Around 250 dancers and 200 accompanying musicians would participate in the festival.