Colorful dance forms enthral audience in Khajuraho dance fest

Colorful and magnificent dance forms continued to fascinate the audience at the Khajuraho dance festival here.

On the fifth day of the festival on Tuesday, dancers staged 'Kanupriya' - a legendary tale of seclusion from the perspective of Lord Krishna's beloved 'Radha'. This Odissi group performance was followed by another piece called 'Devdasi' - a unique genre of dance from southern part of India in which a girl dedicates her life worshiping and serving a deity or a temple.

According to Indian mythology, the gods and goddesses were great lovers of music that comprises vocal singing, instrumental music and dance.

"I feel calm and happy from inside once I enter the stage here. This festival is indeed a spiritual hub for every classical dancer. According to me, a dancer's life remains incomplete without performing here," said B. Anuradha Singh, a Kathak dancer.

Other Indian classical dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Mohiniyattam also enticed the audience on Tuesday. The dancers explored these forms through duet, solo and group performances, enthralling the audience with elegance and grace.

"I am performing on the theme of 'Kanupriya'. It is based on the perspective of 'Radha'. I will definitely enjoy while performing. The stage, the background, the entire organisation is unique," said Shreya Sabrual, an Odissi dancer.

The week-long extravaganza at the brilliantly lit Khajuraho temples, which celebrates the spring season, aspires to showcase the essence of various Indian classical dance forms at its purest.

The annual dance festival will conclude tomorrow.