Odissi adorns the gem of Odishan architecture

The three-day Odissi Dance Festival, featuring eminent dancers from across the country having their solo, duet and group format, got off to an enchanting and exciting start against the backdrop of the magnificent 10th century AD Mukteswar Temple.
The evening's programme started in the presence of dignitaries including Rabindra Singh, Union Secretary of Culture.
The shaivite shrine was filled with spiritual fervour with the soulful recitation of Shiva Tandav Stotra invoking the blessing of Lord Shiva by the choir represented by the students of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Bhubaneswar.
The music of the chorus was composed by noted Odissi Singer Sangeeta Gosain. Second programme was Solo Odissi dance recital by Internationally acclaimed Odissi danseuse Guru Aruna Mohanty. Her first presentation was Rudra Mangala, three form of Lord Shiva Rudra Mahakala and Nataraja. Her next item was Bhumi Suta set to Rag-Raga Malika and Tala-Tala Malika.

The dance was choreographed by Guru Aruna Mohanty herself and music composition was by Guru Bijaya Kumar Barik and Rupak Kumar Parida.
In duet, talented dancer Puspa Panda and Lopamudra Jena started with a Desh Pallavi set to Rag Desh and Tala Roopak followed by a Abhinaya 'Sajanilo Chahna Bare Nayana Pheri'.
"In this item, the Gopis are describing Lord Krishna in his leela or play, in various tales such as Kalia Damana, Bakasura Bandha and his playful and joyful moments with the adoring Gopis," she said.
The concluding item of this evening was a Group Odissi presentation by Nupur, Bhubaneswar. Their first presentation was Mangalacharan followed by Naranayan Struti. Concluding item of the evening was Khamaj Pallavi and Abhinaya "Aahe siva gouri me na dela dekha".