Bhubaneswar, April 29: The World Dance Day emerged as an important event in the culture calendar of the city and was celebrated with splendour today.
The Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi under the culture department hosted a special programme on the occasion. Artistes from all over the state performed during the event conducted at Bhanja Kala Mandap. From the state's classical dance form, Odissi, to folk dances such as Sambalpuri and others were staged to mark the occasion.
Guru Niranjan Rout and his disciples presented an elaborate repertoire of Odissi. From a vibrant Mangalacharan (invocatory piece) to items such as abhinaya (enactment), pallavi (rhythmic compilation), the artistes performed a series of sequences through Odissi steps. The city-based troupe gave an impressive performance.
The famous Mayurbhanj Chhau was another highlight of the evening. Dancers of the Mayur Art Centre presented a vivid recital that powerfully showcased both the slow-swinging movements of the dance form as well as the acrobatic steps. Sambalpuri folk dance was performed by a troupe from Sambalpur, while tribal dance Singhari, presented by artistes from Kalahandi, won over the audience gathered here.
A special segment was dedicated to Gotipua, in which artistes of Raghurajpur staged well-known compositions based on Jayadev's Geeta Govinda. Young boys dressed as traditional Odia damsels not only displayed striking expressions of love and devotion, but also climbed atop one another to create acrobatic formations.
Viewers applauded the artistes. "Singhari is a beautiful dance, and we would love to see it more often in the city. While all the dancers were brilliant, we would have loved to see contemporary artistes of the state, who have won a number of reality shows at the national level," said Barun Das, a dance lover.
This is the first time the state culture department has organised the World Dance Day celebrations, said akademi secretary Dhira Mallick. "Next year, we are planning to include artistes from other states as well," he said.
Cultural organisations in the city as well as the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya students hosted programmes on the occasion.
Odisha is known as a destination for dance not only for being the cradle of Odissi, but also for various contemporary dancers, who have won laurels at national level.
