Dhauli - Kalinga Mahotsav 2012 - Dr. Sunil Kothari

Peace Pagoda at Dhauli, Bhubaneswar, was the venue of the festival under review. No sooner did the Konark Dance Festival conclude, in its wake came this unique five day Dhauli-Kalinga Mahotsav from 10th to 14th December. It had started in the year 2003 and has by now in its 9th edition, acquired such a reputation that all roads led to Dhauli peace pagoda every night. It was started by Italian dancer Ileana Citaristi under the very pagoda and was confined to martial arts. I had attended two festivals. Later on, late Guru Gangadhar Pradhan with his ‘unlimited dreams’ carried on the tradition. After his demise his disciple, renowned Odissi exponent, choreographer, guru, administrator, Aruna Mohanty and her Orissa Dance Academy have with the Dept of Tourism and Culture, Govt. of Odisha, taken over the organization, including Martial Arts Festival within the fold of Dhauli-Kalinga Mahotsav. The festival has now acquired a multi dimension format. 

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