CUTTACK: The 14th Gunjan Song and Dance Festival, organised by Gunjan Dance Academy, got off to a colourful start here today.
Performance by the contemporary dance troupe from Kerala - Samudra - besides Odissi regaled the audience on first day. The show began with recital of ‘Geeta Govinda’ by Guru Rama Haridas, who also paid tribute to ‘Bhajan Samrat’ Bhikari Bal by rendering one of his songs.
The troupe from Kerala performed on the concept of Jalam (water), choreographed by internationally acclaimed choreographers Madhu Gopinath and Sajeev Vakkom.
The artistes portrayed multiple shades of water- its soothing effect, how it creates happiness, its painless attachment, how it is being polluted by humans and how it causes Pralayam (disaster). The accompanying music held the audience spellbound.
The Odissi dancers of Gunjan Academy presented ‘Nrutya’ and ‘Dasha Avatar’ which enthralled everyone.
The tiny tots of Gunjan came up with ‘Surya Hai’, a salutation to the Sun God. The intense articulation of dance sequences spoke volumes about the promising talents. The Odissi performances were choreographed by Odissi exponent and founder of Gunjan Academy Meera Das.
Tourism Minister Debi Prasad Mishra, MLA Debashish Samantray, Cuttack Mayor Soumendra Kumar Ghosh and president of Gunjan Dance Academy Gayatri Das spoke at the inaugural ceremony