Experience the Magic of Dance at the 36th Konark Festival: A Cultural Extravaganza

The 36th Konark Festival has captivated audiences with its stunning classical dance performances, featuring the rich traditions of Manipuri and Odissi dance. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Konark Sun Temple, the festival highlights India's cultural heritage through mesmerizing choreography and music. Renowned artists like Bimbavati Devi and Guru Bharat Charan Giri have brought the stage to life, showcasing the beauty and depth of these traditional art forms. As the festival approaches its conclusion, the excitement continues to build for the final performances.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 5, 2025, 09:56 IST

A Night of Dance at the Konark Festival

Konark: The 36th Konark Festival, hosted by the Tourism Department in partnership with the Sangeet Natak Akademi and Odisha Tourism Development Corporation, continued its enchanting journey on Thursday evening, showcasing the rich classical dance forms of India. Set against the stunning backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Konark Sun Temple, performers highlighted the exquisite beauty of Manipuri and Odissi dance, celebrating India's deep-rooted cultural legacy.

The evening commenced with a heartfelt Manipuri dance performance by artists from Bimbavati Devi’s Manipuri Dance Theatre based in Kolkata. Bimbavati Devi, a renowned figure in the dance community with extensive experience, presented 'Lilakamla,' a piece inspired by the traditional Gosthali dance, originally composed by the legendary Guru Bipin Singh. This performance illustrated the valorous tales of Lord Krishna, artfully merging dance, rhythm, and music that are integral to the Vaishnava traditions of Manipur.

The choreography crafted by Bimbavati Devi provided the audience with an engaging experience. Following this, the stage was graced by the elegance and precision of Odissi, performed by Guru Bharat Charan Giri and the artists of Bharati Nrutya Mandir from Bhubaneswar. Their initial piece, 'Charukeshi Pallavi,' beautifully showcased the lyrical essence of the raga through intricate movements and rhythmic depth. The choreography by Guru Bharat Charan Giri, along with musical arrangements by Guru Vijay Kumar Jena and rhythmic contributions from Guru Dhaneswar Swain and Guru Ajay Kumar Chowdhury, brought the performance to life. Their subsequent presentation, 'Gajanan,' received enthusiastic applause from the audience. The festival is set to conclude on Friday.