Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurates 36th Konark Festival and 15th International Sand Art Festival

Key facts

• The twin festivals are organised by the tourism department in association with Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi and Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC).
• The five-day event celebrates India’s cultural heritage and artistic brilliance.
• The inaugural evening at Konark showcased an Odissi performance by Sonali Mohapatra and artists of Nrutya Upasana Pitha, Bhubaneswar.
• The recital opened with Odissi recitals on Hanuman Chalisa, composed by Sant Tulsidas, with music by Guru Abhiram Nanda and choreography by Mohapatra.
• This was followed by ‘Saranga Pallavi’, a dance sequence exploring the beauty of Rag Saranga through intricate rhythm and melody, choreographed by Mohapatra with music by Nirmal Kumar Mahapatra.
• The troupe concluded with Chari Yuga Devi, depicting the divine power of Maa Durga.