More than 1500 artistes to aim for Guinness World Record in ‘Kathak Kumbh’ at Khajuraho Dance Festival

Senior Correspondent

NewsBits.in

BHOPAL:  The 50th edition of the world renowned ‘Khajuraho Dance Festival' – to be held at the world heritage site from February 20 to 26 - will be marked by the dynamic performances of Padma Vibhushan and Padmashree award winner artistes.

Among the key highlights of the 50th edition of the premier Indian classical dance festival will be a “Kathak Kumbh”, where more than 1500 artistes will aim to create a new ‘world record’ with an ensemble performance of 1800 Kathak dances.

Along with this, Sky Diving Festival is being organized from 20 to 25 February as a special attraction for tourists. Through this, adventure lovers will be able to view the heritage symbols of archaeological excellence of Khajuraho from a height of 10 thousand feet. Besides, camping, village tour, walk with Pardhi, e-bike tour, Segway tour and water sports will also be a new experience for the tourists.

The festival will commence on February 20 with the captivating Kathak presentation of Padmashri awardee Ranjana Gauhar, will end on 26th February with Padma Vibhushan winner Sonal Mansingh’s dance drama ‘Meera’.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will inaugurate the festival at 4.30pm on February 20 in the presence of BJP state president and Khajuraho Member of Parliament Vishnu Dutt Sharma and state culture minister Dharmendra Lodhi. 

Prominent and renowned artists in all major classical dance styles like Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Mohiniyattam will present a rich cultural variety of classical dances.

The festival is being organized by the Ustad Alauddin Khan Academy of Music and Arts under the Culture Department with the joint efforts of the Tourism Department, Archaeological Survey of India and Madhya Pradesh Culture Council. Visitors will experience the rhythm of culture and divinity with each step into the grand celebration to make the Golden Jubilee year unforgettable.

The first day of the festival will begin with presentation Odissi dance by Gauhar and group and will be followed by Bharatnatyam dance performance by Sudhana Shankar of Delhi.

The second day’s performances will include Kathak by Shenki Singh, Bharatanatyam group dance by Sayali Kane of Kalavardhani Dance Company, Pune, Odissi by Arupa Gayatri Panda of Bhubaneswar and Kathak group dance by Manali Dev of Shriganesh Nritya Kala Mandir, Mumbai.

The third day of the fest will be dedicated to the Kathak group dance of Padma Puru Dadhich, Harshita Dadhich and group. Along with this, Kathak will be presented by Sakshi Sharma, Odissi group dance by Kasturi Patnaik of Delhi and Mohiniattam by Vidya Pradeep of Kerala.

The fourth day of the festival on 23 February will feature Kathak group performance by Padmashri Nalini Kamalini and group, Odissi dance by Moumita Ghosh Vatsa, Kochi Koodiyattam Trayi by Margi Madhu and group, Kathak group dance by Suchitra Harmalakar and group and Manipuri group dance by Roshali Rajkumar and group.

On the fifth day, Chhau Odissi group dance will be presented by Panchanan Bhuan of Aradhana Odissi Dance Foundation, Kathak dance by Amira Patankar and group, Kuchipudi duo performance by Rajshree Holla and Rekha Satish and Kathak group dance by Anu Sinha and group.

On February 25, the sixth day of the festival, Kathak will be presented by Prerna Deshpande of Pune, solo Kathak by Pandit Rajendra Gangani of Delhi, Bharatnatyam dance by Navya Natarajan of Bangalore and Kathak group dance by Vidhi Nagar and group. The festival will conclude with a dance drama ‘Meera’ under the direction of Sonal Mansingh. There will also be Bharatnatyam dance performance by Rajshree Variyar, Kathak group dance by Yasmin Singh and group, Mysore Bharatnatyam group dance by Kripa Phadke and group and Kathak performance by Anuradha Singh.

Various activities based on classical dance art and culture will also be the center of attraction in the fest. They include costumes to showcase Indian dance styles and Kalayatra, Kalavarta – dialogue between artists, Hunar – a fair of indigenous knowledge and art tradition, photo exhibition based on the contribution of senior painter Shankar Shinde to art, Pranati, Samashti: Terracotta and Ceramics national Exhibition-Workshop, Vartani: international Chaapakala (block printing) workshop and Layshala – a gathering and workshop of disciples with great gurus during the festival.