Bhubaneswar: The Dhauli Kalinga Mahotsav is to begin February 6 at the base of Dhauli Hill. More than 500 artistes specialising in different dance forms of India will perform at the three-day festival.
The dance forms to be presented at the festival include Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Manipuri, Odissi and Mohiniyattam.
The festival is being organised by Orissa Dance Academy in association with Art Vision. Pramod Rout said: “Like every year, this year the festival will highlight the various dance forms of the country. Apart from classical dance forms, popular martial arts demonstrations will also
be staged.”
Parshwanath Upadhye, a ‘Natya Mayura’ awardee from Begaluru will set the festival in motion with a Bharatanatyam recital.
Winner of many national awards, Upadhye is one of the youngest dancers to become an ‘A’ grade artist of Bangalore Doordarshan.
Abhinab Dance Company, Bengaluru, a group of renown, is to present Kathak compositions, while Nupur, an city-based troupe will present Odissi, on the first day.
Visitors to the festival this year will also be able to witness various other performing arts and martial arts presentations.
One of the key attractions at the event will be ‘Antalah’ by Western and Indian contemporary dancer Sangeeta Sharma. Most of her theatrical pieces focus on social issues and the internal conflicts of human beings which she expresses in creative, innovative and entertaining way.
A dance and music presentation ‘Saptavarna’, meaning seven colours of classical dance, has been conceptualised by Aruna Mohanty. The artiste plans to highlight the diversity and richness of India’s performing arts through the composition. The work would include a selection of classical, folk and martial dance forms of this country.
Percussion instrument music is to receive special place in the festival. An ensemble of drummers will give the presentation. The martial art form that is to feature at the mahotsav is Thang-ta (traditional name Huyel Langlon) of Manipur.
The Paika dance that involves acrobatic movements, human pyramid formations, mock sword- and stick-fight and other activities showcasing physical prowess, will also performed.Odissi dancer Padmashri Kumkum Mohanty will be awarded with ‘Ruchi Buddha Samman’ at the festival. PNN
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