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The annual Konark Dance Festival and International Sand Art Festival were inaugurated in Odisha’s Puri district on Sunday, marking the start of the tourist season in the state.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the festivals, joined by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who also oversees the Tourism Department. Both leaders lighted the ceremonial lamp, launching the five-day cultural extravaganza.

 

Odisha Tourism, in collaboration with Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi (OSNA) and Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC), is hosting the event.

 

The opening night of the Konark Festival, a celebration of India’s classical dance heritage, featured an Odissi dance recital by Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Bhubaneswar, followed by a Kathak performance by Malti Shyam and Group, New Delhi.

 

The Odissi performance commenced with a devotional invocation to Lord Jagannath, based on Sri Jagannath Astakam by Adi Shankaracharya, before transitioning into 'Bhavranga' and 'Shakti', depicting the divine energy of Lord Shiva in his feminine form of Shakti.

 

The choreography was led by Guru Lingaraj Pradhan and Guru Pankaj Kumar Pradhan, with music composed by Bijay Kumar Jena and Bijay Kumar Barik.

 

The Kathak recital, 'Nartan Manjari', presented by Malti Shyam’s group, portrayed the eternal connection between the divine and the devotee, expressed through intricate rhythms and graceful movements. The choreography was by Malti Shyam.

 

Simultaneously, the 14th International Sand Art Festival was held on the picturesque Chandrabhaga Beach, where 129 sand artists, including eight international participants from the UK, Mexico, Germany, Japan, Russia, Portugal, Spain, and Sri Lanka, created remarkable works of art.

 

The festival’s theme focused on women empowerment, Odia pride (asmita), and world heritage monuments. Artists from Odisha and seven other Indian states, including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, contributed 35 sand sculptures.

 

The Konark Festival is being live-streamed across Odisha Tourism’s social media platforms and broadcast on DD Bharati from December 1 to 5.