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Bhubaneswar, May 11: The cultural calendar of the city is getting more colourful each year with the addition of new dance festivals. While most of them are classical dance based festivals, the state department of tourism and culture has come up with a unique concept this time.
The city will host a contemporary dance festival in June that will display new interpretations of body and foot movements. The festival will feature some of the top troupes from across the country and a couple of teams from abroad too. Well-known troupes from Kerala, Mumbai and Bangalore are expected to participate in the event.
Eminent artistes such as Astad Deboo, Aditi Mangala Das and Dakshya Seth among others have been invited for the festival, said a senior official.
“Some of the most creative artistes in the country today will be performing at the festival. We are yet to come up with a title for the festival but the brainstorming is on. Since the festival will exhibit modern creations of dance that have a blend of aesthetics and style, we will give an apt name to the event,” said the official.
The department of tourism will host this three-day national contemporary dance festival here from June 11 to 13. The event will be an eye-opener for stagecrafting and lighting and will provide a lot of exposure to artistes in the state, feel dance enthusiasts.
“We have exposure to classical dance forms and their presentation. But the analysis and interpretation of themes in a contemporary performance, which is becoming popular and rising as a significant dance form, will help our artistes grow their creativity,” said danseuse and choreographer Aruna Mohanty.
“Such a festival will also help us understand better the technology used in stage management, especially in light and sound effects. Contemporary dance is fascinating as it uses less text but more importance is given to grammar of dance and body movements,” she said.
Among some other festivals that were launched recently by the state culture department are the annual Gotipua dance festival, the annual international sand art festival and the annual international Odissi dance festival, all of which were held for the first time last year.
