A two-day Odissi Dance Festival, arranged by Chittagong-based dance organisation Odissi and Tagore Dance Movement Centre, was held on the premises of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) in the capital. The festival was organised to celebrate the 16th founding anniversary of Odissi and Tagore Dance Movement Centre.
A number of 65 dancers of the organisation presented Odissi dance, an ancient Indian classical dance that originated in the Hindu temples of Odisha, on the first day of a two-day event at the National Theatre Hall of BSA on Saturday evening.
A discussion session was also held as a part of the festival, which was attended by cultural personality Kamal Lohani, Kolkata-based dancer Poushali Mukherjee and director of Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre Jayasree Kunda and others.
On the occasion, noted dance artistes Minu Haque, Amanul Haque, Saju Ahmed, Sharmila Banarjee, Munmun Ahmed and Tamanna Rahman were honoured on the first day of the festival.
On the final day, yesterday, Proma Abonti and her troupe staged a dance-drama titled ‘Bashori O Turja Haate Kabi’ based on the life of Kazi Nazrul Islam. The programme also featured rendition of Nazrul Sangeet, poems and letters.
The second day of the programme was attended by Dhaka University Emeritus Professor Rafiqul Islam.
Supported by Indian High Commission–Chittagong, Cultural Affairs Ministry of Bangladesh and BSA, the two-day programme was directed and planned by Proma Abonti.
To note, Proma Abonti established Odissi and Tagore Dance Movement Centre in 2001 for teaching Odissi dance form in Bangladesh. The centre follows the norm of renowned Padmabibhushan Shree Kelucharan Mohapatra’s Odissi Dance Style. In addition, it also promotes the teaching and learning of the original Tagore dance form. l

Photo l Dipmoy