The 12th edition of four-day Barabati Nrutyotsav proved to be a cultural extravaganza for the art lovers.
Against the backdrop of the Barabati fort in Cuttack, the dance and music festival, inaugurated by Culture and Tourism minister Maheswar Mohanty, was declared open by dancers of the host organisation - Odissi Nrutya Mandal - on December 20. This was followed by Odissi vocal by Aspruha Subhalaxmi.
Kuchipudi dancers Deepa Sashindrana, a disciple of Manju Bharagavi, and Vijoy Pal from Bangalore and Meera Das and her dancers from Gunjan Dance Academy performed during the second day of the fest.
The highlight of the third evening was performance by Kolkata-based Kathak dancer Amita Dutta and her troupe. Prior to her dance item, Guru Ramhari Das presented a recital of Odissi vocal which was followed by New Delhi based young Odissi dancer Simran Zamaan.
“It is like a dream for me to be dancing at such a mega festival of classical and folk dance forms. Moreover, interacting with legendary dancers and talented artistes from different parts of the country has helped me learn more about the dance techniques,” said Simran.
The next day, a dance ballet based on legendary poet Gangadhar Meher was presented followed by an Odissi rendition by Guru Bijay Jena.
The Sambalpuri folk dancers from Bargarh-based Nupur also held the audience captive with their presentation.
The closing day of the festival witnessed ‘Mahari’ by Gayatri Khuntia and her group from Udayana Cultural Academy of Puri. This was followed by a duet by Guru Manoranjan Pradhan and Minati Pradhan which regaled the enthusiasts of Odissi dance with a synchronised ‘pallavi’. It was beautifully choreographed using the stage in an interesting way. Later, folk dancers from Ganjam performed dances like ‘Jodi Sankha’ and ‘Ranapa’.
This year, the Odissi Nrutya Mandal conferred the Dhirendranath Patnaik Award on Odissi Guru Gopikrushna Behera.
Eminent Odishi Guru Ashis Das started organising the festival in 2001.
The festival organised in collaboration with Cuttack administration and Odisha Tourism gifted the audience a rich slice of the diverse art forms of India.