A Bharatnatyam dance drama based on Mahisasur Mardini by Dhyan Dhara group from Gujarat being staged at the Theatre Olympaid at Kala Vikash Kendra in Cuttack. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Oct. 2: A Bharatnatyam recital by the artistes of Dhyan Dhara group from Gujarat was the centre of attraction on the inaugural day of the Theatre Olympiad at Kala Vikash Kendra in the Millennium City on Monday evening.

The artistes of the group performed a dance drama based on the mythological Mahisasur Mardini, which depicts Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahisasura and the triumph of good over evil.

Smruti Vaghela had choreographed the dance drama. It was an attempt to revive theatre through a dance drama.

“This is the first time that we performed Bharatnatyam in a dance drama format. We used Sanskrit words in the Hindi dialogues so that the audience could understand the meaning and enjoy the play,” said Vaghela.

The viewers seemed to appreciate the performance.

“The concept was unique. Though I have earlier watched Bharatnatyam, this was the first time that I was able to grasp the theme as well as the dialogues, which were in Hindi,” said Sudha Singh, a member of the audience.

Odia play Kandhei, staged by the artistes of Nayika Balasore group, was an added attraction on the opening day of the 20th edition of the Theatre Olympiad.

The play was the story of a girl, who aspires to become a heroine, and ultimately lands up working in the opera (jatra) where she is tortured.

“We have tried to depict the dreams and aspirations of a village girl, who wants to act in films. She has to undergo a lot of pain and torture, which is a reality these days,” said director Susmita Rana.

The Theatre Olympiad organised by Utkal Yuva Sanskrutik Sangha (UYSS) is a festival of multi-lingual plays in English, Hindi and regional languages.

Seven countries are participating in the mega event that will conclude on October 16.

“Around 3,500 artistes, actors, dramatists and dance groups are participating in the Theatre Olympiad this year,” said UYSS general secretary Kartik Chandra Rath.

Rath said around 13 theatre groups from Armenia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Canada, Iran, Nepal and other countries will be participating in the International Theatre Festival to be held from October 12 and continue till October 16.