The 'Ashtapadi' festival in the city is witnessing Odissi dance performances and vocal recitals of all twenty four songs of Jayadeva's Geeta Govinda.
Inaugurated by Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, this fourth edition of 'Ashtapadi' is a unique and first ever complete stage performance in dance of all twenty four songs of Jayadeva's Geeta Govinda, ranging from paying homage to Lord Krishna, to various shades of Radha and Krishna's longing for each other, and the sage advice of Radha's 'sakhi'
Senior artistes like Aruna Mohanty, Sharmila Biswas' participation are the other highlights in this three-day festival.
The new choreography in Odissi is based on adaptation of the original music composition of renowned Odissi Guru late Gangadhar Pradhan.
Senior dancer-choreographers Aruna Mohanty, Sharmila Biswas and Meera Das in creative collaboration with Dr Pani have choreographed all the twenty four songs in Odissi dance in solo, duet and group formats.
Live music is being showcased in the entire festival in Bhubaneshwar which is seeing participation of senior gurus and experienced and young musicians on mardala, khol, manjeera, venu, sitar and violin.
This three- day dance festival is also witnessing the participation of almost fifty creative and performing artists.