Mukteswar Dance Festival begins , Odissi adorns the gem of Odishan Architecture

Bhubaneswar: The three-day Mukteswar Dance Festival, organised by Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department in association with Odisha Sangeeta Natak Akademi(OSNA) featuring eminent dancers from across the country having their Odissi in Solo, Duet and Group format, got off to an enchanting start with the unspoilt and magnificent 10th century Mukteswar Temple on the backdrop.

The evening’s programme started in the presence of several luminaries that included Science and Technology Minister Ashok Panda, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, Culture Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sujata R Karthikeyan, Director Dilip Routrai, OSNA President Guru Aruna Mohanty, and Secretary Prabodh Rath.

The Shaivite shrine was filled with spiritual fervour with the soulful recitation of Shiva Vandana – Shree Rudrastakam – Namamisha Mishan Nirbana Rupam invoking the blessing of the Lord Shiva by Pradeep Kumar Das & Group. Second programme was Solo Odissi dance recital by internationally acclaimed Odissi danseuse Kavita Dwibedi from New Delhi.

She presented Abhisapta Ketaki based on Lord Shiva. In duet the talented dancers Shobha Bisht and Deepika Bisht from New Delhi started with an invocatory piece Lord Shiva Natraj. The dance was choreographed by Guru Madhavi Mudgal followed by Abhinaya Basanta written by poet Kalidas. Their last presentation was Pallavi set to Rag-Gundakeri and Tal-Tripata.

The concluding item of this evening was a Group Odissi presentation by the students of Nrityantar from Bangalore led by Madhulita Mohapatra. Their first presentation was Iswari followed by Malhar Pallavi.