State-Level Gotipua Dance Festival Begins in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The State-Level Gotipua Dance Festival began today at the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre, celebrating Odisha’s age-old dance tradition. The three-day festival, organised with the support of the Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department in collaboration with the Research Centre, Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi, and Lokakala Sangha, will continue till 1st September.

As many as 20 dance troupes from across Odisha are participating in the event. The inaugural programme witnessed the presence of eminent cultural personalities including Aruna Mohanty, Ileana Citaristi, Guru Ramahari Das, Dr. Chittaranjan Mallia, Guru Gobinda Gopal, and noted vocalist Dr. Sangeeta Gosain. Also present were Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Secretary Dr. Chandra Shekhar Hota, Deputy Director of Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department, and Administrative Officer of the Research Centre, Suchismita Mantri, who formally inaugurated the festival.

Speaking on the occasion, Mantri highlighted the importance of preserving Odisha’s cultural heritage through Gotipua. “Gotipua is an inseparable part of Odia culture, deeply intertwined with our rich dance tradition. The organisation of this State-Level Gotipua Dance Festival not only nurtures emerging talent but also helps in preserving and popularising our traditional dance heritage,” she said.

The inaugural day also featured a panel discussion on ‘Music and Performance in Gotipua’, followed by enthralling performances from troupes including Chandrasekhar Gotipua Kala Sansad, Kailash Gotipua Nrutya Pratishthan, Maa Ashtabhuja Gotipua Kala Parishad, Murchhana Gotipua, Baba Gorekhanath Gotipua Dance Association, Maa Santoshi Gotipua, and Bankeswari Gotipua Nrutya Parishad.