Kathak, Odissi leave audience spellbound at Konark Festival

Bhubaneswar: Konark Festival organised by Odisha Tourism witnessed touching dancing choreographies in classical Kathak and Odissi on Saturday.

The Open-Air Stage of Konark with the world monument, Sun Temple at the backdrop welcomed Abhinav Dance Company, Bangalore which staged soul-stirring choreography in Kathak under the supervision of Nirupama-Rajendra, the artiste couple.

The artiste in Kathak came up with Laya-Lasya, a unique composition integrating two energies of power and grace as mentioned in Natyasastra. This was followed by Raasa Leela marking Lord Krishna’s ecstatic dance of love with the Gopies and Radha as described in Srimad Bhagabat scripture.

The concluding item in Kathak was Chathurang enumerating four aspects of music and dance Sahitya, Sargam, Nritya and Tarana.

In the second round of the programme, renowned dancer Dona Ganguly and her disciples of Dikshya Manjari presented Odissi composition Journey through Odissi. The choreography brought out the devotion, and grace of Odissi defining its traditional aspects and touch of creativity. The item led the audience to experience Bhava and Rasa.

Dr Sadhana Sribastav and Dr Mrutyunjaya Rath compered the programme with the support of Dr Sangita Gosain, Pradeep Kumar Mishra and officers of the Tourism department. International Sand Art Festival in the golden beach of Chandrabhaga pulled the crowd in large numbers today.