Thursday 27 October 2011

Konark Dance Festival: Classical Dance & Music Extravaganza

The sun temple in Konark is famed as a world heritage site. The exquisite 'Natyamandir' or the 'dancing hall' of this 700-year old shrine is an architectural wonder with well-adorned sculptures in Odissi dance poses. The Natyamadir or the dancing hall of the temple is extremely famous for its wonderful interior. Constructed a way back in the 13th century on the beach of Chandrabagha, this temple and its dancing hall today stand as the evidence of Indian culture’s age old amalgamation of dance and devotion.
 The Konark Dance Festival is organized annually in the month of December at the open air auditorium in the temple premises with the temple as the back drop. Many celebrated dancers from all over the country perform at this pious venue. Since 1989, this festival has been organized in the state jointly by Orissa Tourism and Odissi Research Centre to promote the diverse Indian dance heritage as well as the popularity of Konark Temple and Orissa as a tourist destination.

Konark Dance Festival


Celebration of different dance forms at one place
 Konark Dance Festival is held in December in the beautiful backdrop of the Sun temples in Konark, Orissa. The enthralling Konark Dance Festival is held every year, from 1 to 5 December. The festival has made the famous tourist destination that the Konark is even more attractive in the eyes of the tourists.


Konark Dance Festival at the backdrop of famous Konark sun temple
 

Odissi Dance Form


Bharatanatyam Form

The Konark Dance Festival is organized annually in the month of December at the open air auditorium in the temple premises with the temple as the back drop. Many celebrated dancers from all over the country perform at this pious venue. Since 1989, this festival has been organized in the state jointly by Orissa Tourism and Odissi Research Centre to promote the diverse Indian dance heritage as well as the popularity of Konark Temple and Orissa as a tourist destination.


Craft Mela at Konarak Dance Festival

With the setting of the sun, the open air auditorium put on life in the variety of musical beats and rhythmic actions under the star lit sky. In the midst of the poem in stone at the background, the festival proves to be a proper cultural feast. A carnival of Odissi, Bharathnatyam, Manipuri, Kathak and Chau Dances.The festival truthfully comes as a sumptuous feast for the eyes and ears. The sound of bells of Ghungroo, flute and Pakhauj append to the festive atmosphere. There is also a crafts mela, with a variety of handicrafts and tasty cuisine during the festival. The festival is jointly organised by Orissa Tourism and Odissi Research Centre. This mela affix more excitement to the festival thus making it an ideal venue for a family gathering on a holiday in India or a blissful experience to the tourists. The festival is a prospective platform for the performing artiste and the dance connoisseur both. It in addition comes as a right occasion for the potential artists of India who are yet to make their occurrence felt on the international level.

Konark Dance Festival takes place in an open-air auditorium against the backdrop of the floodlit temples that reverberates with the beats of 'Raga' and 'Tala' to fill the air with the sounds of classical music. The classical extravaganza is a journey through eternal ecstasy. Thus, Konark Festival gives one to have an experience of life time to witness a cocktail of art, craft, music, dance and food, all at the same place.

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