Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, April 26: Graceful performances of Mahari dance enthralled the citizens of the capital at the Rabindra Mandap here Sunday with 16 dancers from the Rupashree Kalamandir, Puri, performing at the 6th Srimandir Mahari Parampara.
The dance evoked special interest as, in this art form, Maharis, who are also called devadasis, perform in front of Lord Jagannath.
Special Mahari dances are performed during Nabakalebara. When the daru of the deities enter Puri city, the Maharis perform a special vandana of song and dance.
“It is a dance form that was basically confined to the temple and performed by devdasis. Every year we organise the festival to promote the dance. We are going to show the different rituals that are performed in the temple from early morning to late night through the dance form,” said Rupashree Mohapatra, the founder of the dance institute.
“It is sad that the last devadasi of the temple, who was also my guru, died before the start of the Nabakalebara this year. I hope that whatever she has taught me, I will be able to pass on to my students and will not let the dance form die,” she said.
Those who were felicitated during the programme for their efforts in promoting Oriya culture include former chief secretary Subhas Pani, who is also a researcher on Jaydev, and Odissi dancers Guru Govinda Chandra Pal and Nava Kishore Mishra.