One of the most popular classical dance festivals, the Khajuraho Dance Festival, is back. The festival is organised annually to promote India’s rich cultural heritage, and is held at the backdrop of the historical Khajuraho Temple. The festival attracts scores of tourists from all across the world and features performances by some renowned classical dancers.

KEY POINTS:

=> The 7-day 47th Khajuraho Dance Festival at the world famous Khajuraho culminated with a captivating Bharatanatyam dance performance on the ‘Brahmmarpana’, ‘Shiv Shambhu’ and ‘Mukthi’ theme by Poornima Ashoka and the troupe.

=> On the last day of the ceremony, Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy dancers performed a Manipuri group dance on the theme of ‘Pung-Cholom’, ‘Vasantraas’ and ‘Dhol Cholom’ and Aryan Nande performed a fascinating Odissi dance on the theme ‘Pallavi’, ‘Navraas’ and ‘Mangala Charan’.

=> The temple courtyard resonated with the tuneful sounds of classical dance and the applause of the cheering tourists and art lovers. All the tourists thanked the Culture and Tourism Department for the successful organisation of Khajuraho Dance Festival.

=> Organised by the Department of Culture, Madhya Pradesh Government, Ustad Allaudin Sangeet Kala Akademi with the support from Incredible India and other organisations, the festival is one of the first major live festivals being held after the lockdown.

About Khajuraho Dance Festival:

=> The Khajuraho Dance Festival, organised by the Madhya Pradesh Kala Parishad, is a one-week festival of classical dances held annually beside the Khajuraho temples in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. The festival is conducted in February from the 20th to the 26th.

=> This festival highlights the richness of the Indian classical dance styles such as Kathak, Bharathanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, and Kathakali with performances of some of the best exponents in the field. Modern Indian dance has been added recently.

=> The dances are performed in an open-air auditorium, usually in front of the Chitragupta Temple dedicated to Surya (the Sun God) and the Vishvanatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, belonging to the western group.