File picture of Illeana Citaristi

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 27: The Konark festival, one of the most glamorous events of Indian classical dance hosted in the state, will showcase some prominent artistes from all over the country this year.

Beginning this Sunday, the five-day festival staged against the charming backdrop of the Black Pagoda — the world heritage site of Sun Temple, will also see the third edition of the annual sand art festival simultaneously.

Keeping in sync with the tradition, the Konark dance festival will open with an Odissi recital by Purnashree Raut and group from Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Beginning her career from London, with an academic qualification in psychology, she is a lecturer in Chhattisgarh and now a senior Odissi artiste. Bharatnatyam veteran Anita Guha from Chennai, known for her authentic techniques on stage, will also perform with her troupe on the inaugural evening.

The Kathakali troupe, led by Sadanam Balakrishna from Kerala, Manipuri dance by Singhjit Singh and his troupe from Imphal, Kuchipudi by Hyderbad-based Alekshya Punjala and Kathak by Calcutta-based Rani Karnaa and group will perform during the remaining four days. Odissi by well-known artistes such as Bichitrananda Swain’s Rudrakshya troupe, veteran danseuse Illeana Citaristi and as always students of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre, all from Bhubaneswar and Aloka Kanungo from Calcutta will also perform at the festival.

The international sand art festival that enters into its third year will have five international sand sculptors exhibiting a new work every day and another national-level competition for sand artists. That apart, this is the first time, women artists from the state are taking part in the event and hence a separate forum is being offered to them.

“The sand art festival on the Chandrabhaga beach will be hosted simultaneously with the Konark festival. To promote and encourage women sand sculptors we have decided to organise an exclusive set up for them to show their art,” said state tourism secretary S.P. Thakur.

Brand ambassador for the sand art event, well-known sand sculptor Sudarshan Patnaik said they received entries from five women artists of the state for the first time. “Earlier, we had women artists participating from other states. But this is the first time that Odia women are taking part in the fest,” he said.

The event had a record footfall of over five lakh visitors over the five days last year.