A three-day Odishi dance festival, featuring eminent dancers from across the country having their solo, duet and group formats, got off to an enchanting start against the backdrop of the magnificent 10th-century AD Mukteswar Temple here on Tuesday evening.
The programme began in the presence of dignitaries, including Union Secretary of Culture Rabindra Singh. The Shaivite shrine was filled with spiritual fervour with the soulful recitation of Shiva Tandav Stotra invoking the blessing of lord Shiva by the choir represented by students of the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Bhubaneswar.
The music of the chorus was composed by noted Odishi singer Sangeeta Gosain. The second programme was a solo Odishi dance recital by internationally-acclaimed danseuse Guru Aruna Mohanty. Her first presentation was Rudra Mangala, three forms of lord Shiva, Rudra Mahakala and Nataraja. Her next item was Bhumi Suta set to Rag-Raga Malika and Tala-Tala Malika.
The dance was choreographed by Guru Aruna Mohanty herself and music composition was by Guru Bijay Kumar Barik and Rupak Kumar Parida.
In duet, talented dancer Puspa Panda and lopamudra Jena started with a Desh Pallavi set to Rag Desh and Tala Roopak followed by an Abhinaya Sajanilo Chahna Bare Nayana Pheri.
“In this item, the Gopis are describing lord Krishna in his leela or play in various tales such as Kalia Damana, Bakasura Bandha and his playful and joyful moments with the adoring Gopis,” she said.
There was also a group performance by Nupur, Bhubaneswar. Their first presentation was Mangalacharan followed by Naranayan Struti. The concluding item of the evening was Khamaj Pallavi and Abhinaya Aahe Siva Gouri Me Na Dela Dekha.