Konark Festival of classical dance begins in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The five-day-long Annual Konark Festival of classical dance has kick-started in a traditional note at Konark in Puri district on Sunday.

Srjan came up with “Vande Suryam” a prayer to the Sun God, the presiding deity of ‘Arka Kshetra, Konark. Then the pure dance Pallavi, set to Rag Hansadhwani was staged followed by a choreography on ‘Devi-Bhagabati’s various facets.

The concluding item of Srjan was ‘Vande Mataram’ on the composition of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

Guru Shama Bhate and troupe presented Orision to the Sun God in the choreography ‘Surya Vandana’ in Kathak. It was followed by ‘Thal Roopak’ in 7 beats under the pure dance recital.

 The next composition was Kaliya Mardan – an enactment of Krishna’s Childhood activity, full of miracles and divine dispersion.

Then ‘Thal Teentaal’ in Drutlaya was recited in Kathak ensemble followed by Chaturang’ in Raag-Kedar amalgamating four components of Kathak- Tarana, Sargam, Sahitya, and Nrittabols.

The concluding item was ‘Baje Mruliya Baje’ and choreography on the devotional song relating Krishna’s Spell on Radha.