Every Indian state and area has a distinctive culture that is well-known throughout the world. When it comes to Odisha, apart from the magnificent temple structures and beaches, classical dance is widely popular. To facilitate this cultural aspect of classical dance, Odisha is back with its 35th edition of the Konark Dance and Music Festival. From December 1 through December 5, the Odisha Tourism Department is set to host their iconic Konark Festival and the International Sand Art Festival. The Konark Festival highlights the country’s classical dance genres, whilst the International Sand Art Festival welcomes international sand artists.
All About 35th Edition Of Odisha’s Konark Dance & Music Festival
Konark Festival (Dec 1-5): Immerse yourself in mesmerizing Indian classical dance performances at the majestic Sun Temple in Konark.
With this perfect Winter Itinerary, time to book your #Odisha adventure now!
Visit: https://t.co/NAL7vsDXHJ#IndiasBestKeptSecret pic.twitter.com/oM0yNniI0i
— Odisha Tourism (@odisha_tourism) November 25, 2024
Over the course of five days, the 35th Konark Festival will feature dance styles like Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, and Mohiniyattam. On an outdoor stage illuminated by golden lights, the festival will showcase classic tales of love, devotion, and mythology against the backdrop of Konark’s Sun Temple from the 13th century. One well-known UNESCO World Heritage Site is Konark’s Sun Temple.
The stage lineup for the festival will feature talented and extraordinary artists from across India and the United States of America. The performers will be coming from New Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and other places in India. People can expect to see an Odissi dance performance every day throughout the 5-day event.
With Odissi performance, people can watch Kathak performance on day 1 and Manipuri performance on day 2. Day 3 will feature a Mohiniyattam performance, while the 4th and 5th days will show Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam performances, respectively.
Also Read: Inside Odisha’s Dhenkanal Palace: Home To 18th Generation Royals
14th International Sand Art Festival
Mark your calendar for the two upcoming events at Konark:
1. Konark Dance Festival (in the backdrop of Sun Temple)
2. International Sand Art Festival (Chandrabhaga beach)
Dates: Dec 1-5 pic.twitter.com/CCT9wE80nd
— Manas Muduli (@manas_muduli) November 26, 2024
The Chandrabhaga Beach near the Sun Temple will host the International Sand Art Festival, which will showcase international sand artists from many countries, including the UK, Portugal, Mexico, Russia, Japan, Spain, and Sri Lanka. Indian practitioners will participate in the event and display their sand-creation skills from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh.
Together with masters from around the world, local artists will display their abilities while creating works that depict social, cultural, and environmental topics.
So, are you excited to have your perfect winter getaway to Odisha to witness these iconic festivals?
Cover Image Credit: Instagram/@madhavi.mudgal