Konark, Dec. 1: The famous Konark Festival, which is touted as the confluence of connoisseurs and artistes of international repute, began here today.
Visitors were treated to some of the finest dance performances at an open-air auditorium against the backdrop of the famous Sun temple.
Artistes of Bhubaneswar-based Odissi dance group Srjan staged Anweshana, the inaugural Odissi recital that was choreographed by eminent dancer Ratikanta Mohapatra. Their recital was divided into four parts. The first part - Vande Mataram - was a tribute to the nation. This was followed by a dance item called Pallavi. Various intricate rhythmic patterns and the graceful movements of the dancers were a treat to watch in this part.
The group's third offering - Ardhanarishwara - described the fusion of Lord Shiv and Goddess Parvati. The union of the essential male and female principles into an evolved being was showcased in this part. The final presentation of Srjan - Bishwas - was an interplay of the gurwani and dohas of Sant Kabir.
Artistes of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipuri Dance Academy took the stage by storm following the recitals of Srjan. Donning the traditional costumes of Manipur, the artistes presented Dhol-Dholok-Cholom, which was performed to welcome the Manipuri festive spring season called Yaosang and invoke the Lord. The flawless synchronisations of the Manipuri dancers and their swirls and turns awed all.
Manisha Biswal, a 35-year-old homemaker who has come to attend the festival all the way from Bhopal, said: "I have been coming to the festival every year since my college days. The atmosphere here is enchanting. It is a great opportunity to watch various dance forms at one stage."
In the upcoming days, the festival is scheduled to host Sattriya, Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam and Kathak performances.
However, ancient dance forms of the state Mahari and Gotipua, which were featured for the first time at the festival last year, are not in the schedule this year.
In another development, appealing sand arts welcomed visitors on the Chandrabhaga beach, around two kilometres away from Konark, on the first day of the International Sand Art Festival. Around 35 sand artistes from across the world will take part in the festival this year. They comprise five artistes from America, Africa, Colombia, Spain and New Zealand and 30 artistes from various states across the country. Some 12 women sand artistes and two differently-abled artistes are also taking part in the festival.
The artistes will make sculptures on a particular theme every day, while the first day's inaugural topic was climate change and global warming. In the following days, the artistes will create sculptures on heritage conservation, Swachh Bharat mission, unity in diversity and world peace.
Two selfie counters that have been opened at the festival venue are also attracting the youths in huge numbers. The organizers of the sand art festival - state tourism department and Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi - will also organise a literature fest on Friday. The festival is scheduled to come to an end on Saturday.
