Bhubaneswar: The 17th Dhauli-Kalinga Mahotsav will be organised jointly by the state Tourism department and Orissa Dance Academy (ODA) from February 6 to 8 on the foothills of Dhauli Shanti Vihar.
Addressing a presser here Friday, renowned Odissi dancer Padma Shri Aruna Mohanty, secretary of ODA, said that nearly 300 artistes from different dance forms such as Odissi, Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Purulia Chhau, Mayurbhanj Chhau, Seraikella Chhau and others will participate in the cultural extravaganza.
This apart, two categories of awards will also be given to the artistes on the occasion. The first award, Buddha Samman, which has been instituted by ODA for the last 14 years, will be given to Odissi Vocal Exponent Gopal Chandra Panda. He will receive the cash award of Rs 1 lakh along with a citation and a shawl.
The second category of award, Guru Gangadhar Pradhan Smruti Samman, which was instituted in the memory of academy founder Guru Gangadhar Pradhan in 2016, will be given to four personalities of different fields. They are: Karnatic veena player K Rama Rao Patro, Odissi dancer Snehaprava Samantray, dance critic Shyamahari Chakra and posthumously to Late Tarakanta Panda sound designer and music arranger. They will receive cash award of Rs 25,000 each along with citation and shawls.
Dhauli Mahotsav is celebrated in February every year with a motto of permeating the gospel of peace through the concept of concerts of classical and folk dance and music of India by synthesizing the quintessence of religions and faiths.
Likewise, Kalinga Mahotsav will send the message of peace through martial arts which would be represented by artistes from across the country.
“Limited number of audiences will be allowed to the festival owing to Covid-19 protocol and sanitisation of the premises will be ensured,” said Mohanty.