Hockey World Cup 2023: Mukteswar Dance Festival kicks off

Bhubaneswar: The 3-day Mukteswar Dance Festival featuring eminent dancers from across the country having their Odissi in Solo, Duet and Group format got off to an enchanting and exciting start with the magnificent 10th century AD Mukteswar Temple at the background.

The dance festival is organized by Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department in association with Odisha Sangita Natak AkademiThe evening’s programme started in the presence of dignitaries like Ashok Chandra Panda, Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Minister, Satyabrata Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Odia Language, Literature, Culture Department; Ranjan Kumar Das, Director & Special Secretary, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department; Guru Aruna Mohanty, President, Odisha Sangita Natak Akademi and Prabodh Kumar Rath, Secretary, Odisha Sangita Natak Akademi.

The shaivite shrine was filled with spiritual fervour with the soulful recitation of Shiva Vandana – Parameswar Hara Baba Mukteswar Samsara Sara Vidhata invoking the blessing of the Lord Shiva by Mahendra Kumar Acharya & Group. Second programme was Solo Odissi dance recital by internationally acclaimed Odissi danseuse Sarita Mishra. Her first presentation was Ode to Shiva followed by Abhinaya the story of Bhagirathi – Ganga. In duet, talented dancers Gayatri Ranbir and Sourav Mohanty started with a Sudhadesi Pallavi followed by Abinaya Pasani Ahalya.

The concluding item of this evening was a Group Odissi presentation by the student of Utkal University of Culture, Bhubaneswar. There first presentation was Panchaparameswar followed by Gawati Pallavi and their last item was Abhinaya Brajebasantam.Officials from Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department and Odisha Sangita Natak Akademi were present in the programme. The programme was anchored by Dr. Srinivas Ghatuari and Sanhati Pani.