Konark Dance And Music Festival: The Diversity Of India

When you mention the word Konark, the mind immediately goes to the famous the Konark Sun Temple.  A World Heritage Site, this religious monument is famous for its design of Surya’s chariot, with 24 intricately carved wheels that adorn the foot of the structure. Built in the 13^th century, this magnificent structure was designed in a way so that the sun enters the centre of the temple as it rises each morning. Each year from the 19^th to 23^rd February, the Sun Temple becomes the backdrop for a celebration of Indian dance and music. The Konark Dance and Music Festival was established in 1986 by the famed dance teacher and director Padmashree Guru Gangadhar Pradhan.  

The objective of the festival is to bring together artists and celebrate their crafts on an international stage.  Whilst located in Odisha, the festival does not focus solely on the culture of this region, but rather opens itself up to a variety of traditional Indian dance including Kathak (from North India), Bharatnatyam (From Tamil Nadu), Manipuri (from Manipur) and Kuchipudi (from Andhra Pradesh). Dance groups travel from all over India to perform at this festival, and showcase their classic art forms.

Dancers perform on the Konark Natya Mandap which is a replica of the ancient Natyashala located in the Sun Temple.  It was here that the dancers of the temple used to perform each day in homage to Surya, the Sun God.

For the artist, to dance on such a beautiful stage is a privilege and for the audience, it is a feast for the eyes, giving them a peak into what life may have been like hundreds of years ago. Whilst it is a stage for this festival, the Konark Natya Mandap is also a centre for learning, where experienced teachers pass on their skills to new artists both locally and from around the world.

This festival is only part of the celebration of Odissi culture that can be experienced here.  For the remainder of the year, Odissi arts are performed here including Sankirtan (response chanting) and Daskathia (poetry narration used for worship), and religious festivals are celebrated.

Another large part of the Konark Dance and Music Festival is of course the music. Indian traditional music is such a broad category that permeates every part of the culture in this vast country.  From melodic Carnatic tones to Persian hymns to the pulsating beat of a tabla, this festival seeks to explore the depth of musical harmony in India. The festival program includes recitals from different genres and instruments, giving listeners the opportunity to see and hear the diversity of the sounds and rhythms.

Dance and music is such an integral part of Indian culture, represented in ancient times to modern day Bollywood films. The diversity of the country can be seen in these art forms, and what a better place to view it then where people have been performing for centuries to celebrate the sun.

So be a part of this incredible festival and book your flight tickets and holiday packages today!