Bhubaneswar, Dec 28: The third evening of the International Odissi Dance Festival witnessed a deeply evocative and spiritually charged performance by eminent Odissi dancer Guru Sangeeta Dash, who brought alive the childhood of Lord Shri Krishna through her graceful and expressive rendition.

Performing the Odissi abhinaya “Kede Chhanda Jaane Lo Sahi”, Guru Sangeeta Dash vividly portrayed episodes from Lord Krishna’s balya leela, including Putana Badh, Govardhan Dharan, Kaliya Dalan and the tender vatsalya bhava of Mother Yashoda.

Her nuanced expressions and command over Odissi grammar created a devotional ambience at Rabindra Mandap, leaving the audience immersed in bhakti and spiritual bliss.

Speaking after the performance, Guru Sangeeta Dash said that the childhood leelas of Lord Krishna eternally bathe devotees in devotion and that presenting these divine episodes before the audience was a matter of great fortune for her, achieved by the blessings of the Lord.

The evening opened with a group Odissi Mangalacharan, “Niladrau Shankha Madhe Shatadala Kamale”, presented by artistes of Godamaker Institution. This was followed by a series of captivating solo and duet performances, including Ishani Mishra’s abhinaya “Radharani Sange Nache Murali Pani”, Himani Sarathi’s “Saveri Pallavi”, Subhashree Subhasmita Mahapatra’s “Darbari Pallavi” and duet presentations by Tejaswini Barik and Rishita Patra. Group performances such as “Dasha Mahavidya” by artistes of Sri Vidya Sangeet and Kala Pratisthan added grandeur to the programme.

The afternoon session featured artistes from Mumbai-based Smitalaya presenting “Durgastuti”, followed by notable performances including “Shivashtaka”, “Ashtapadi”, “Chhayapat Pallavi” and “Bilohari Pallavi” by dancers from different parts of India and abroad, including Germany. The session concluded with a powerful group presentation of “Shiv Tandav” by Kalpadeep Institution.

In the evening session, solo and duet performances by Sridatta Bhola, Anjali Dash, Lopamudra Sahu and several other dancers enthralled the audience, while artistes of Adyasha Foundation concluded the programme with a group Odissi performance.

Eminent Odissi Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, noted danseuse Guru Ileana Citaristi and Administrative Officer of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre Suchismita Mantri were among the distinguished guests present on the occasion.

It may be noted that the International Odissi Dance Festival is being organized at Rabindra Mandap from 26th to 30th December, with participation of nearly 350 Odissi dancers from India and abroad, celebrating the global reach and timeless legacy of Odissi dance.