Drenched in enthusiasm, Konark shines with wonderful confluence of dance and sand art festival

News Bharati    05-Dec-2019
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Konark, December 5: Konark festival and International Sand Art Festival are two splendid cultural events in India held together every year in Konark, Odisha. The two events have just concluded, spreading a wave of joy and showcasing India's cultural glory.

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Odisha’s prime coastal tourism hub of Konark once again witnessed a global confluence of arts through the twin annual events of the Konark Festival of classical dance performances with the grand Sun Temple in the backdrop and the International Sand Art Festival. The 30th edition of the Konark Festival showcased the best of India’s traditional and classical dance forms, besides offering interesting insights into the rich cultural heritage of the country.
A solitary splendour par excellence, folklore, and mythology have created layers of legends shrouding the genesis of this world heritage monument built in the 13th century A.D. Leading exponents and dance enthusiasts of almost all main classical dance forms of India including Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi Mohiniattam and Balinese Dance Group from Indonesia took part in the five-day classical dance carnival, adding to the appeal of the event that has few parallels elsewhere.


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This year, the theme for the International Sand Art Festival is based on eco-tourism, culture, Fairs, women empowerment, and no to plastic and heritage. On Sunday, December 1, the festival began with classical dances like Odissi and Kathak after Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal lightened the lamp. Around 123 artists from across India and artists from USA, Ireland, Denmark, Russia, Canada, Togo and Sri Lanka were participated in the Sand Art Festival. The festival aims to create international cultural amity and brotherhood amid the environment magnified by the spiritual and aesthetic flavour. 
 

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Globally renowned sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik was the brand ambassador and chief curator of the eighth edition of the International Sand Art Festival this year. Sudarsan Pattnaik has represented India in 60 international sand sculpture championships and festivals all around the world and won 27 championship prizes for the country. He was among the 15 top sand artists selected from across the world to participate in the 2019 Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival in Boston, Massachusetts. Sudarshan is creating social awareness in national and international arena on world peace, global warming, terrorism, HIV AIDS, to save endangered wildlife species through his sand art. His works on the promotion of Indian Tourism in Global Forum through his talent of art in different countries like Belgium, United States, the Netherlands, London etc. is highly recommendable.