Odisha Tourism to kick off Konark Festival and & Intl Sand Art Festival
Bhubaneswar, Nov 30: Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha is organizing Konark Festival from 1st-5th December, 2015 in Open Air Auditorium, Konark and The International Sand Art Festival at Chandrabhaga Beach, Konark during the same period.
An annual fete of Indian classical dance and music, the Konark Festival is one of the biggest dance festivals in the country, bringing champions of different classical and traditional dance forms together to display their skill and mastery over age-old dance forms such as the classic Bharatnatyam, the graceful Odissi, the expressive Kuchipudi, lilting Sattriya, rhythmic Manipuri and the statuesque Kathak dance styles. Since 1989, the Konark Festival has been drawing tourist, dance and music lovers alike to the sandy shores of Konark every year, said Shri Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister Tourism & Culture here.
Addressing the media, Shri Panda said as many as 10 highly-acclaimed danseuse have confirmed participation at this year’s festival and the list includes well known performers such as Jatin Goswami, Vyjayanthi Kashi, Rajashree Shirke and others The five-day festival will showcase performances in Odissi, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam, Sastriya and Kathak.
Similarly, the International Sand Art Festival shall have 35 stalls with reputed 5 international sand artists from USA, Africa, Columbia, Spain & New Zealand and 30 national sand artists. 12 women sand artists and 2 Differently abled sand artists shall also participate in the festival. Padmashri Sudarsan Pattnaik has been declared as Brand Ambassador of the International Sand Art Festival. Awards and trophies shall be given to the winners. OTDC shall sponsor free stays in Panthanivas for the winners.
Four counters have been opened for India Tourism, First Aid, Fire Service and Police Control along with 2 Selfie counters. Sahitya Asara is being organized on 4th December 2015 at Konark where eminent poets and writers will participate. In addition to, an Artist Camp is also being organised to mark the occasion. Konark Cyclothon, a cycle rally for awareness and attraction will be started on 29th November from Konark, being organised by “Roots of Odisha” and supported by Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha.
Like previous year, this year also Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) has designed special tour packages for the Konark Festival and the International Sand Art Festival 2015. Details of the tour packages are available on the Tourism Department’s website (www.odishatourism.gov.in) and the OTDC website (www.panthanivas.com). Entry passes can be purchased for Rs 400/- (season pass for 5 days), Rs 100/- (main gallery per day) and Rs 15/- (Side gallery chair per day).
Among others Sri Gagan Kumar Dhal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism, Sri U. Pati, Deputy Director, Sri D. Mallick, Secretary, OSNA and Sri A Satpathy, GM, OTDC were also present.