Bhubaneswar, January 16: The three-day Mukteswar Dance Festival at the magnificent Mukteswar Temple ended with spellbinding performances of Odissi by renowned Odissi dancers of national and international repute showcasing the varied items of Odissi repertoire.
Organised by the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, Government of Odisha in association with Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi, the event featured eminent dancers from across the country having their Odissi in Solo, Duet and Group format got off to an enchanting and exciting start with the unspoilt and magnificent 10th century AD Mukteswar Temple at the back.
The last evening was graced by Bhubaneawar Municipal Corporation Mayor Sulachana Das, Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department Director and Special Secretary Ranjan Kumar Das, Odisha Sangita Natak Akademi Vice President Dr. Manmatha Kumar Satapathy, and GKCM Odissi Research Centre former chief executive Dr. Sangita Gosain.
The first programme of the evening was the Chorus in honour of Lord Shiva eulogizing the glory of Lord Shiva presented by Eminent Music Director Guru Nimakanta Routray and his group.
Renowned Odissi danseuse Shikata Das started her programme with Abihinaya Nandika Keshari set to Raga Mallika and Taal-Malika. The dance was choreographed by Guru Shikata Das, music composition was made by Guru Swapneswar Chakraborty and rhythm by Guru Sachidananda Das.
In duet Himansu Kumar Ray and Diptiranjan Baral who presented Rudra Mandala which describes the presiding deity of Ekamra Pitha Lord Shiva in three forms Rudra, Mahakala and Nataraja.
The concluding presentation of concluding evening was a Group Odissi presentation by Srjan, Bhubaneswar. Their first item was Shiva Tandava Stotram music composed by Pt. Bhubaneswar Mishra and Choreographed by Guru Ratikanta Mohapatra followed by Pallavi set to Raga – Shankaravarana and Tala- Ekatali. Their last item was Vande Suryam, the Sanskrit lyric was done by Pt. Nityananda Misra, music was Agnimitra Behera and dance was choreographed by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra.
