City-based cultural organisation Devdasi Nrutya Mandir organised the eighth edition of Naveen Kalakar National Dance Festival at the Bhanja Kala Mandap here from June 4 to 7.
Young dancers from all over the world performed in the stage during the four days. Dancers below the age of 35 years were felicitated with Odissi Shree, Odissi Jyoti and Nrutya Jyoti awards. Besides a few got Sri Jayadev Rashtriya Yuva Prativa Puraskar, which was launched this year, festival director Jagabandhu Jena informed.
On the third day of the festival, charming Gayathri Subramanian performed Kerala Natanam, which is the art form of Kathakali. Her performance with attractive eye expression and body movements enthralled the audience. She received the Sri Jaydev Ratriya Yuva Pratibha Puraskar for her dance performance. Kathak dancer Vidha lal, Mohini Attam dancer Swapna Rajendrakumar, Bharat Natyam dancer Jyotsna Jagannathan, Odissi dancer Arupa Gayatri Panda and Debasish Patnaik were also honoured with the award on the concluding day of the ceremony.
Odia Abhinaya, performed by Odissi dancer Apurba Pattnaik, Swastika Swagatika Mishra, Kathak dancer Vidha lal’s dance performance and other noted dancers’ performances held the attention of the audience till the end of the programme on the concluding day.
Odissi Guru Ratikanta Mohapatra, Guru Sujata Mohapatra and festival committee chairman Dr SK Tamotia were present as the guests in the award giving ceremony.