Grand Finale at Dhauli-Kalinga festival: Closes with a Fusion of Classical Dance

The graceful spins of Kathak, the precise movements of Bharatanatyam, and the flowing elegance of Mohiniyattam all came together for the grand finale. This is what the audiences witnessed at the closing night of the 21st Dhauli-Kalinga Festival, held at the foothills of the historic Dhauli Hill. It wasn't just a dance performance; it was a celebration of India's rich artistic heritage with the elegant od different dance form

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The festival, a collaborative effort by the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Odisha Dance Academy, and Art Vision, brought a unique fusion performance. Instead of separate performances, these three classical dance forms shared the stage, creating a visual treat that captivated everyone present.

Night of the Fusion Beauty

The evening began with an offering to Lord Ganesha, with a Ganesh Vandana. This was followed by Shree Krishna Sharanam Namah. This wasn't a typical classical presentation; but a collaborative creative dance. The performance was a joint creation, bringing together dancers from the Odisha Dance Academy, the Khanak Institute of Performing Arts, the Pavitra Art Visual Institute, and the International Academy of Mohiniyattam.

The choreographic minds behind this seamless blend were truly impressive. Padma Shri Dr. Aruna Mohanty who crafted the Odissi portions, Janardhan Raj Urs handled the contemporary dance elements, Jayaprabha Menon designed the Mohiniyattam sequences, Pavitra Bhatt was responsible for the Bharatanatyam aspects, and Monisa Nayak choreographed the Kathak sections. It was a true meeting of the masters on the stage. The final act of the evening featured the energetic Chhau dance, performed by artists from the Mayur Kala Kendra. The choreography for this vibrant piece was by Guru Achitya Kumar Behera.

The Dhauli-Kalinga Festival was not just dance recital but a showcase of creativity. Distinguished guests graced the occasion, including renowned Odissi dancer and former Vice-Chancellor of Sambalpur University, Prof. Dr. Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi, art critic Dr. Leela Venkataraman, famous Mardala player Guru Dhaneswar Swain, social worker Sumitra Jena, and Secretary of Odisha Dance Academy, Guru Dr. Aruna Mohanty.

Dr. Srinivas Ghatwari and Dr. Nazia Alam skillfully hosted the program, and Debiprasad Mishra's beautiful lighting design perfectly complemented the dances, enhanced the cultural atmosphere. Most important the festival