Konark Festival concludes with Odissi, Manipuri performances

Puri: The valedictory evening of five-day-long Konark Festival witnessed soul-stirring Odissi recital and moving Manipuri dance which made the audience spell-bound.

The leading Odissi dance exponent Guru Pitambar Biswal and his disciples of Suravi came on the stage with Surya Upasana, an exquisite piece of choreography by Guru Durga Charan Ranbir. Ollywood actress Archita Sahu also joined them in the performance.

In Indian mythology worship of Sun God is very ancient and Suryastaka brought about that. The next composition in Odissi was Geeta Govind taken from the immortal creation of Sri Jayadev. The love between Krishna and Radha found a true manifestation in the Abhinaya choreographed by Guru Pitambar Biswal.

The next choreography was in Manipuri, Anantashakti- Leishem Kanglon depicting creation, preservation and destruction in the cosmic play of the supreme energy in this universe Priti Patel and Group from Kolkata enacted the vaishnabite and pre-vaishnabite form of the classical Manipuri dance to the appreciation of one day all.

The cultural evening was ceremonially lighted by Minister Tourism Ashok Chandra Panda, Principal Secretary Tourism Arati Ahuja, Principal Secretary, M.S.M.E Deptt. L. N. Gupta, French Tourist Brigitte Viollet, Director Tourism N. B. Jawale.