Odissi festival celebrates legacy of Guru Kumkum Mohanty
Bhubaneswar: The Kumkum Nrutta Nrutya Natya Festival 2026, celebrating the rich heritage, spiritual essence and artistic excellence of Odissi dance, was held at Rabindra Mandap here Wednesday evening.
Organised by the Geetagovinda Charitable Trust, the festival featured performances by disciples of Padma Shri awardee Guru Kumkum Mohanty. The event was organised under the initiative of Dr Anisha Anukampa.
Law, Works and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Sports and Youth Services, Odia Language, Literature and Culture, and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Padma Vibhushan awardee and internationally acclaimed sculptor Sudarshan Sahoo, former Odisha Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik, and Odisha Theatre Association president and State Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Mihir Kumar Meher attended the programme as distinguished guests.
The festival was primarily organised to honour the immense contribution and lifelong dedication of Guru Kumkum Mohanty to Odissi dance. Her efforts towards preserving, enriching and promoting the classical dance form have inspired generations of dancers.
The cultural evening featured a special Devi dance presentation depicting various forms of goddesses worshipped in Odisha, along with Tripata Batu, solo performances and group Pallavi presentations.
The performances showcased the distinctive features of Odissi through its classical postures, graceful movements, expressive abhinaya, rhythm and devotional elements.
The presentations by Guru Kumkum Mohanty’s disciples also highlighted the significance of the guru-shishya tradition, discipline, years of dedicated practice and commitment to the art form.
On the occasion, Dr Anisha Anukampa expressed her gratitude to Guru Kumkum Mohanty for her blessings, guidance and inspiration. She also stressed the importance of preserving Odisha’s classical art and cultural traditions while connecting future generations with their rich heritage.
The festival witnessed the participation of eminent personalities, artists, musicians, cultural enthusiasts and admirers of Odissi dance. The event turned into a celebration of Odisha’s artistic identity and cultural legacy.
Through the festival, the Geetagovinda Charitable Trust reaffirmed its commitment to preserving and promoting the rich tradition of Odissi dance, the sanctity of the guru-shishya relationship and Odisha’s glorious cultural heritage.