Bhubaneswar: The third edition of Monks, Caves and Kings, the heritage walk, at the twin hills of Udayagiri and Khandagiri here, Saturday had two Odissi dancers- Virginia Bastida from Spain and her friend Savita Patel from Chhattisgarh- both disciples of Guru Meera Das’ Gunjan Dance Academy in Cuttack.
More than 50 enthusiastic participants, including a group comprising of 20 students and teachers from Raghunath Bidyapeeth, Odogaon, in neighbouring Nayagarh district also participated in the event. Virginia, a trained Bharatanatyam dancer, has been staying in Orissa for last several months and is planning to be here for two to three years to learn the art of Odissi dance.
After visiting Udayagiri hills she said, “I am in love with Orissa and Odissi and would like to explore the rich cultural traditions of the state and know the people, who are really working hard to conserve these things for the future generations.’’
Echoing similar views Savita said, “Orissa and especially the beautiful stone carvings at the heritage sites across the heritage city is an encyclopedia of different style and mudras, which, essentially, have become the basis of Odissi dance and its postures.’’
Professor Chitta Baral from Arizona State University came to the 3rd Ekamra Walks (Monks, Caves and Kings) with his wife Mausumi Baral. Though staying in the far away nation, US, Professor Baral is participating in the Ekamra walks.
Dibakar Behera and his friend Jogendra Behera, both Class X students of Raghunath Bidyapeeth, Odogaon, said that they had not had any idea about cave art and art of making caves for habitation.
PNN
