After a gap of five years, Udayaraga, the popular annual young dancers’ festival hosted by the city-based Odisha Dance Academy (ODA), would be re-launched on Friday. However, the usual three-day event would last for six months this year as a virtual dance festival.
A brainchild of ODA director and Odishi exponent Aruna Mohanty, the festival was an instant hit at the national level for its unique concept. “My vision was to discover, nurture and highlight the emerging and brilliant soloists of Indian classical dances who had chosen dance as their profession,” explained Mohanty.
“Solo dance has been the core strength of Indian classical dance forms. Solo artistes were instrumental in bringing classical dance to the forefront of India’s cultural arena after independence. However, as popularity of group dance has adversely affected opportunity for solo performances, I felt the urgency of this festival,” she added.
In five years, the festival had featured more than 30 dancers from India and abroad, majority of whom have been known worldwide as professional performers today. However, financial constrains had compelled the ODA to discontinue the annual event, it was learnt.
In view of the ongoing pandemic that restricts stage shows and public performances, the re-launched festival would be conducted as a virtual weekly event spanning over six months. One of the potential solo dancers of host ODA would be presented in the festival that would happen every Friday.
