Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Majhi inaugurated the 35th edition of the Konark Festival on Sunday, with the iconic Sun Temple at Konark serving as a stunning backdrop for the cultural event.
The opening evening captivated audiences with dance performances. It began with an Odissi recital dedicated to Lord Jagannath by the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Bhubaneswar. Choreographed by Lingaraj Pradhan and Pankaj Kumar Pradhan, the performance explored themes of divine power and energy through ‘bhavranga' and ‘shakti.'
The evening also featured a Kathak performance, Nartan Manjari, by renowned artist Malti Shyam and her troupe from New Delhi. Organised by Odisha Tourism in collaboration with the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi (OSNA) and Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC), the Konark Festival will continue until Dec 5.
It will also be live-streamed on Odisha Tourism's social media platforms and telecast live on DD Bharati from Dec 1 to 5.
This year, mesmerizing performances like Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, and Mohiniyattam classical dance forms, each telling timeless stories of devotion, love, and mythology, will be performed during the festival.