Performers at the 8th International Odissi Dance Festival in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.

A group performance by dancers from the Gurukul Foundation, United States of America, was the highlight of the international dance fest. Chhattisgarh-based artiste Anchal Pandey thrilled the audience with her solo recital, while a colourful performance by Indu Vijay from Singapore brought the crowd to its feet.

The artistes are staging an array of abhinayas composed by a number of stalwarts of Odissi, including Kelucharan Mohapatra, Debaprasad Das and Pankaj Charan Das.

A series of intricate pure dance recitals, including Pallavi and Sthai, are also being presented. The dancers are performing in three sessions every day. The five-day festival, organised by Guru Kelcharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre, will witness young and veteran Odissi artistes from across the world and country stage recitals. The festival concludes on December 30.

Text by Anwesha Ambaly

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