Aloka’s portrayal of soulful Rasaleela marks graceful finale of International Odissi Dance Festival

Bhubaneswar: The International Odissi Dance Festival, organised by the Guru Kelucharan Odissi Research Centre and Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, concluded at Rabindra Mandap, leaving audiences spellbound with a rich blend of tradition, devotion and artistic excellence.

The concluding evening witnessed a mesmerising Odissi presentation by eminent guru and Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Aloka Kanungo, who brought alive Raseshwar’s Rasaleela through an evocative dance interpretation. Her performance, deeply rooted in classical aesthetics, beautifully portrayed Shri Radha’s grace, expression and intense viraha bhava, seamlessly blending stance, expression and rhythm.

Set to Raga Pahadi and Malika Tala, Kanungo presented Jayadeva’s celebrated ashtapadi “Sakhi he Kesi Madana Mudaram”. With music composition by Pandit Bhubaneswar Mahapatra and choreography inspired by the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, her recital created a deeply emotional and spiritually charged ambience in Rabindra Mandap.

Speaking on the occasion, Guru Aloka Kanungo said that presenting the emotions of Shri Radha’s longing and Shri Krishna’s Rasaleela before the audience was a matter of great fortune for her. She added that Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda has always been a profound source of inspiration in her artistic journey.

Earlier in the day, the festival featured a wide range of solo and group Odissi performances by artistes from renowned institutions, highlighting themes such as Shakti Swaroopa, Navarasa, Ardhanarishwara, Shiv Panchaka and various Pallavis and Ashtapadis.

The evening session also saw captivating performances including Kaibarta Prasangam, Govinda Damodara Ashtakam, Basanta Pallavi, Rasa Pallavi and a grand group presentation titled Krishna Tubhyam Namah.

Several eminent personalities from the field of Odissi music and dance, including noted vocalist Dr Shyamamani Devi, Guru Gopal Chandra Panda, former Principal Commissioner, Income Tax Department Manoranjan Panigrahi, Guru Bichitrananda Swain, Guru Dr Jyotsnarani Sahu, Secretary of Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Dr Chandrashekhar Hota and administrative officer of the Guru Kelucharan Odissi Research Centre Suchismita Mantri, were present on the occasion.

It is noteworthy to mention that this year’s festival saw the participation of around 350 dancers, including 15 Odissi artistes from abroad, reflecting the growing global appeal of the classical dance form.

Alongside performances by distinguished dancers such as Aloka Kanungo, Nandini Ghosal, Sangeeta Dash, Ramli Ibrahim and Bishnu Tattwa Das, the festival also featured an Odissi-themed painting exhibition and the popular “Ama Odissi” selfie point, which drew enthusiastic participation from the youth.