The connoisseurs of dance experience an unforgettable taste of devotion and elegance in the fourth evening of the Konark Festival in the open-air auditorium on Monday.
Renowned artist of Manipuri style Bimbabati Devi with her artistes of Manipuri Nartanalaya had the start with Kathokchaba, an offering to the Lord, the Guru and to the august audience. The dance depicted the grace and beauty of Lord Krishna and his dance recital.
The next item, Saajat enumerated the gaits of various animals and birds in a picturesque way. This was followed by Mahashakti describing the undying energy and power of Goddess Jagaddhatri.
The composition that followed was Vasanta inspired by the advent of spring as described in Geeta Govinda of Sri Jayadev. The Minipuri dance recital was concluded with Jaya Jaya Deva Hare, an item portraying the traditional clap dance seen in Rathayatra in Manipur.
Daksha Mashruwala and artistes of Kaishiki came onto the stage with Mangalacharan and invocatory item to Nabagraha. Mangalacharan gave way to Pallavi, the Pure dance in Odishi which was followed by Odia Abinaya, Ahe Nila Sahila, a prayer to Lord Jagannath by devotional poet Salabega. The concluding item was Basanta, depicting the advent of spring season, the season of joy and celebration.
On the third day of the fest on Sunday, Ramli Ibrahim’s Odishi troupe from Malaysia performed in presence of the cheering Malayasian visitors.
Ramli’s presentation - Ganjam Odishi - was a tribute to eminent Odia scholar and artist late Dinanath Pathy who was his artistic collaborator and who hailed from Ganjam district. The production was inspired by three major performing arts traditions of Ganjam - Prahlad Natak, Sakhi Nata and Dasakathia - that Pathy has made him familiar with during their work, Ramli explained.
The other presentation of the evening was Kuchipudi by New Delhi based Vanashree Rao and her troupe.