The 2023 edition of the internationally famed Khajuraho dance festival will begin at the world heritage temple complex in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh on February 20.
Renowned artists will perform various formats of Indian classical dances in the week-long festival that will conclude on February 26. The main dance forms to be presented include Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, and Mohiniattam. Entry to performances will be free.
The 49th Khajuraho dance fest will be inaugurated by Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel at 7 pm on opening day. Tourism and Culture Minister Usha Thakur, MP MSME Minister Omprakash Sakhlecha, and Khajuraho Member of Parliament Vishnu Dutt Sharma, who is also the BJP state president, will be present on the occasion.
During the inaugural function, Madhya Pradesh Rupankar Kala Puraskar (art awards) will be given away. An exhibition of arts and crafts will be put up at the festival venue, a note by the organisers of the event said. The dance festival is being jointly organised by the Ustad Alauddin Khan Sangeet evam Kala Academy, the state tourism department, the Archaeological Survey of India, the World Dance Alliance, and the Chhatarpur district administration.
Along with dance performances, visitors will be able to witness and participate in various other activities that will go on simultaneously at the venue. These include an exhibition based on the cultural scenario of the Indian dance forms and art journey; an activity ‘Ekagra-Nepathya’ based on the classical dance form Kathakali; an ‘art-mart’, exhibiting art forms from across Indian and other countries; a ‘choreo-lab by dance artists from India and five other countries; a discussion session of artists and art experts – ‘kala-varta’; a solo exhibition ‘pranati’ on artistic creations of senior painter Shubha Vaidya, an exhibition on indigenous knowledge and traditions – ‘Hunar’; and a national exhibition on terracotta and ceramic art ‘Samashti’.
Adventure activities for tourists
Along with the cultural and artistic activities, visitors and tourists will be able to participate in various adventure activities. They can also get a taste of the local culture, heritage, traditions, rites and rituals, and cuisine. The activities available include glamping, village tour, walk with pardhis (local people), e-bike tour, segway tour and different water adventures.
The dance performances will be streamed live on the YouTube channels of MP culture department (@mpculturedepartment) and the YouTube channel and Facebook page of the dance fest (@khajurahoDancefestival).