Odissi dancers perform live to celebrate Raja Parba

To celebrate the Raja Festival, eminent Odissi dance guru Ileana Citaristi and her disciples held an Odissi dance session on Monday on the occasion of Raja Sankranti. Four young Odissi dancers performed the classical dance from the studio of Detour Odisha, the group that organises weekly Ekamra Walks in association with government organisations.

The three-day Raja Parba started on Sunday. The first day is known as Pahili Raja, second day is the Raja Sankranti and the Shesh Raja is celebrated today.
On this occasion, the dancers and the disciples of Ileana, along with the Ekamra Walks organisers, adorned themselves beautifully. Dancer Subhashree Mahapatra danced to the song Dekha Go Radhamadhaba Chali, while Upasana Mohanty performed to Jhagadi Matra Hela He Shyama. Kalyani Mohapatra performed to Sajani Budi Gali Mun Laja Re and Minati Mohapatra’s dance recital was for Madhura Bachana Kahanti Mohana. All the performances were choreographed by Ileana.

"Ileana ma'am used to organise such performances for the Ekamra Walks every week because the detour used to end at her dance academy. Since the lockdown started, the walks couldn’t be organised. But the Raja Festival was the best occasion to hold a live session of Odissi dance for its enthusiasts,” said Sophia Simon, organising member of the Ekamra Walks.