Konark: December 04: The connoisseurs of dance experience an unforgettable taste of devotion and elegance in the fourth evening of Konark Festival in the open-air auditorium. Renowned artiste of Manipur Style, Bimbabati Devi with her artistes of Manipuri Nartanalaya had the start with Kathokchaba, an offering to Lord; Guru and august audience. The dance depicted the grace and beauty of Lord Krishna and his dance recital. The next item, Saajat, enumerated the gaits of various animals and birds in a picturesque way. This was followed by Mahashakti describing the undying energy and power of Goddess Jagaddhatri. The next composition was Vasanta inspired by the advent of Spring as described in Geeta Govinda of Shree Jayadeva. The Manipuri dance recital was concluded with Jaya Jaya Deva Hare, an item portraying the traditional clap dance seen in Rathayatra in Manipur.
In the next turn, Daksha Mashruwala and artistes of Kaishiki came onto stage with Mangalacharana and invocatory item to Nabagraha. Mangalacharana gave way to Pallavi, the pure dance in Odishi which was followed by Odiya Abhinaya, Aahe Nila Shaila, a prayer to Lord Jagannath by devotional poet Salabega. The concluding item was Vasanta, depicting the advent of spring season, the season of joy and celebration.
The evening’s programme witnessed a formal beginning with the lighting of ceremonial lamp by VC of Utkal University of Culture Prof. Kamala Kanta Mishra, Dance critic trio- Dr. Leela Venkatraman, Tapati Choudhury and Manjari Sinha besides Director Tourism Nitin Bhanudas Jawale and deputy Director Utpal Kumar Pati. The Programme was compered by Dr.Sadhana Srivastava and Dr.Mrutunjay Rath.
