Odissi Dance Festival captivates audience with its with rhythm & thrill
Often described as an “Odissi Kumbh Mela,” the festival brought together eminent dancers from India and abroad, presenting Odissi in solo, duet and group formats.
By Nalini Sahu
Bhubaneswar: Rabindra Mandap resonated with rhythm, grace and devotion as the five-day International Odissi Dance Festival concluded on December 30, reaffirming Bhubaneswar’s status as the spiritual and cultural nerve centre of the classical dance form. Organised by the Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre (GKCMORC) under the aegis of the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture, the festival drew eminent dancers from India and abroad, turning the city into what many describe as an “Odissi Kumbh Mela”.
Across five days, Odissi was presented in solo, duet and group formats, reflecting both the rigour of its classical grammar and its evolving contemporary expressions. Rooted in the legacy of Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra, the festival highlighted the continuity of tradition while offering space for stylistic interpretation and innovation.
The concluding day unfolded in three segments. The morning session featured a mix of group and solo performances by emerging and mid-career artistes, marked by technical precision, sculptural poses and expressive abhinaya. The afternoon session continued with research-oriented group works and nuanced solo and duet presentations, showcasing the diversity of training institutions and gharana influences shaping Odissi today.
The evening programme formed the artistic high point of the festival. Veteran exponent Guru Aloka Kanungo set a contemplative tone with a restrained yet powerful performance, reaffirming the timeless appeal of classical repertoire. This was followed by solos and duets by accomplished dancers from Odisha and beyond, underscoring the dance form’s expanding national and international footprint.
The concluding evening began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by eminent artistes and cultural administrators, including noted vocalists Dr. Shyamamani Devi and Guru Gopal Chandra Panda, former principal secretary Manoranjan Panigrahy, distinguished Odissi gurus Bichitrananda Swain and Dr. Jyotsnarani Sahoo, Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi secretary Dr. Chandrasekhar Hota, and GKCMORC administrative officer Suchisimita Mantry.
Large and attentive audiences thronged Rabindra Mandap throughout the festival, reflecting Odisha’s enduring engagement with classical arts. Beyond performance, the festival functioned as a cultural pilgrimage—especially for dancers from outside the state—offering a return to the roots of Odissi.
As the curtains fell, the International Odissi Dance Festival once again affirmed Bhubaneswar’s role as both custodian and global ambassador of Odissi, where devotion, discipline and dynamism continue to move in graceful harmony.
