Maitree Maheswari and (above) Preetisha Mohapatra perform at the Odissi International dance festival in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Bhubaneswar, Dec. 25: Young talents presented a breathtaking performance at the recently concluded Odissi International dance festival.

Preetisha Mohapatra, the grand daughter of the legendary Kelucharan Mohapatra, proved why she stands strong as an individual dancer and carry forward the family’s legacy.

She had debuted with a solo performance on stage two years ago at the same festival, and this time, too, she left the viewers in awe.

She showcased a classic piece of pallavi that was complex and intricate, but demanded subtle expressions.

The teenager, a Class IX student, was confident just like her father guru Ratikant Mohapatra and looked as tall and fine-tuned like her mother, the ace dancer Sujata Mohapatra.

The youngster continued her dance at ease, despite interruptions when the stage lights suddenly shut out. “Not always does it happen that a form of art is carried forward by the successors of a stalwart’s family. But it is a matter of pride for Odissi that Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra’s son, daughter-in-law and now granddaughter are all dedicated dancers,” said Minati Mishra, noted Odissi exponent.

Similarly, Natalie Raut, in her early twenties, was a charmer on the stage. The London-based Odissi dancer displayed great promise just like Pracheeti Dange from Pune, whose movements were equally gracious.

A bunch of teenagers also showed great promise on stage. Maitree Maheswari, also a Class IX student, trained by Madhusmita Mohanty and Pravat Kumar Swain, disciples of Aruna Mohanty, presented a beautiful sequence “Manini” hailing women.

The young dancer from the Odisha Dance Academy displayed varying emotions with ease and won appreciation from dance enthusiasts.

Divyadisha, another youngster from the same academy, has also set high expectations from veteran dancers and connoisseurs for her meticulous performances.

Nritta Ganeshi Manoharan from Malaysia and Tissia Spulnikova from Russia were some of the discoveries of the festival.

“There are some brilliant dancers in the younger generation. We are hoping these dancers will take forward authentic Odissi to the world in future,” said dance critic and festival organiser Shyamhari Chakra.

Many young dancers from across India and all over the world will also perform at Rabindra Mandap from December 26 to 30 during the state tourism and culture department’s International Odissi Dance festival.