Treat for lovers of classical dance

CUTTACK: Lovers of classical dance in the city were in treat as they bore witness to some Kathak, Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam and Odishi dance recitals during the Gunjan Dance and Music Festival.
The three-day festival, which concluded on Thursday, provided the perfect dose of entertainment and people were enthralled by the expressive and graceful moves of the classical dancers.
On the concluding day, Bangalore based dancer Prateekshya Kasi performed Kuchipudi. The dancer entertained the audience with her soulful performance. But the highlight of the evening was the Odissi performance Jeevana Sangeeta, based on Baikunthanath Patnaik’s famous poem Yatra Sangeet.
The adaptation was choreographed by noted Odissi dancer Meera Das and performed by her students. The performance won the heart of the audience.
“The dance performance was a visual treat,” said Shradhanjali Rout, a member of the audience.
“The performance was very well performed and choreographed. I have never seen such a beautiful classical performance,” said Ramakant Dalei, another audience member.
Sweekruth’s Kathak and Parswnath Upadhyaye’s Bharatnatyam dance performances also left the audience spellbound. Kolkata-based Odissi exponent Sharmilla Biswas and her troupe and dancer Madhulita Mohapatra also provided a welcome taste of classical dance to the audience.
The success of the dance festival can be gauged from the fact that the Shaheed Bhavan auditorium was jam-packed. The response of the audience overwhelmed the organizers. The dance festival was organized by Meera Das’s dance academy to popularize classical dance forms.
“My aim was to bring the different classical dances of India on one stage and create awareness about our rich cultural heritage among the younger generation. To attract the youths, we invited young dancers who have made a mark in the culture world,” said Das.