BHUBANESWAR: Artistes from all over the state shook a leg at a state-level event organised by Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi commemorating International Dance Day at Rabindra Mandap here Sunday.
International Dance Day is a global celebration of dance, created by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), the main partner for the performing arts of UNESCO. The event takes place every year on 29th April, the anniversary of the birth of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), the creator of modern ballet. The day strives to encourage participation and education in dance through events and festivals held on the date all over the world.
Every year a message is given by a famous dancer to mark the day. This year, Karima Mansour of Egypt said, “Movement is a language spoken by us all. Movement is a universal language that belongs to everybody If only we open our senses and listen. Listening is what is required, listening without interference, listening without judgment, listening in silence and allowing the movement to pass through the body in the moment, because everything inside us and around us is in motion, constant motion.”
“This is when the body doesn’t lie because it is listening to its truth and manifesting it. By listening to our heartbeat, we can then dance the dance of life, which requires movement, agility and adaptability, a constant shifting choreography,” she added.
Guru Mamata Satpathy and her group presented an elaborate repertoire of Odissi on the occasion. ‘Chaiyati Gowda’, a folk art form of Banki, was another highlight of the evening. A special segment was dedicated to Sambhalpuri dance which was performed by Guru Basudev Sa.
The chief guest of the evening was Manoranjan Panigrahi, principal secretary, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department. Among others, Rama Krushna Sahoo, special secretary, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department and president of Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi.
Bijaya Kumar Jena, secretary, Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi, said, “We organise this event every year to celebrate World Dance Day to give a platform to youngsters to showcase their talents.”
Dibyajyoti Pattanayak, owner, Tap The Feet Dance Academy, said, “For me, dance is a way we express ourselves when words are insufficient. Dance is simply a translator of a human heart. It gives us an opportunity to express our feelings through movements. We are celebrating the International Dance Day by conducting various activities in our academy for various age groups. Odisha is known for being the cradle of world famous classical ballet Odissi. Various contemporary dancers of the state have won laurels at the national level.”
Animesh Mallick, a choreographer from Rourkela, “I am currently working as a freelancer. I dance to express my feelings. It gives me an indescribable feeling that I can’t get anywhere else. I’m an introvert so it helps me communicate with people without talking. I would like budding dancers to dance like nobody’s watching!”
