Dhauli-Kalinga Mahotsav From Feb 9, Sonal Mansingh To Get Buddha Samman

Bhubaneswar: The 14th Dhauli-Kalinga Mahotsav will commence from February 9 against the backdrop of ancient Dhauli on the outskirts of Odisha’s capital city.

The three-day event, being jointly organised by Odisha Dance Academy and Odisha Tourism in association with the Art Vision, will conclude on February 12.

The festival is a grand celebration of harmony between history and modernity as it contains cultural multiplicity and a whole range of diverse stream of performing arts; be it classical, folk or martial.

During the festival, Buddha Samman will be conferred on eminent dancer and Padma awardee Sonal Mansingh for her lifetime contribution to dance.

Besides, Guru Gangadhar Smruti Samman will be conferred on S K Tamotia, Atulya Mahakuda, Guru Dhaneswar Swain and Bhagirathi Das. Each of them will receive a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and a citation.

“Rivers of India has many stories and civilisation has been possible due to the flowing rivers. So we have kept ‘river’ as the theme for every performance,” said well-known dancer Aruna Mohanty. She informed that the students of the Odisha Dance Academy will perform of Gandhiji’s ‘Ahimsa’.

The festival will feature instrumental fusion by Bhubaneswar-based Shivangi, Bharatnatyam by renowned Padma awardee Leela Samson and Group from Chennai, Kathak by Vidha Lal and Group from Delhi, Kuchipudi by Pratikshya Kasi and Group from Bengaluru and Mallakhamb from Puri and Mayurbhanj Chhau from Baripada.

“Several tour operators have combined their tour timings with the festival. Every year we find increased number of visitors, which is encouraging,” said Director, Odisha Tourism, Nitin Jawale.