The Department of Tourism, in association with the Odisha Sangeet Natak Academy, announced the names of the participants of the Konark Festival 2012 and the International Sand Art Festival at a press conference held here today.

 

An annual fête of Indian classical dance and music, the Konark Festival is one of the biggest dance festivals in the country, bringing champions of different classical and traditional dance forms together to display their skill and mastery over age-old dance forms such as the classic Bharatnatyam, the graceful Odissi, the expressive Mohinattam and the statuesque Kathak dance styles, amongst others. Since 1989, the Konark Dance Festival has been drawing tourist and dance and music lovers alike to the sandy shores of Konark every year.

 

As many as 10 highly-acclaimed artists have confirmed participation at this year’s festival and the list includes well known performers such as Mallika Sarabhai and Dr(s) Raja Radha Reddy.  The five-day festival will showcase performances in Odissi, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam, Sattriya and Mohiniattam.

 

A number of artists from different parts of the country such as Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Guwahati and New Delhi will be performing at the festival this year.

 

An Odisha Tourism official said, “Each year the majestic Sun Temple of Konark serves as a backdrop to the scintillating Konark Dance Festival, which is a platform for well known exponents of different classical dance styles come together to celebrate the beauty of their art forms. We have received confirmations from some of the country’s best artists this year and we look forward to hosting a spectacular event in December.”

 

A jugalbandi of painting and music will also be held every day during the period of the dance festival.

 

Like previous year, this year also Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) has designed special tour packages for the Konark Dance Festival and the International Sand Art Festival 2012.

 

Entry passes can be purchased for Rs 400/- (season pass for 5 days), Rs 100/- (main gallery per day) and Rs 15/- (Side gallery chair per day).

 

List of participants-Konark Dance Festival -