Konark in Orissa is popularly known for its world famous Sun Temple. Now, the annual International Konark Dance & Music festival is also gaining attention.

For 21 years, Konark Natya Mandap has been hosting this festival which embraces both dance and music artistes from around the globe. With a backdrop of beautiful dance sculptures, a hugh open air stage for the artistes and a wonderful atmosphere, this is a nice place for a festival. The 22nd edition will open on February 19 and continue for three days. Along with presentations of dance and music, the festival will also have a 'Sahitya Utsav'.
The first day of the festival will begin with a Panchadeva Stutee and Konark Kantee which will be presented by Orissa Dance Academy, Bhubaneswar.

This will be followed by a flute recital by Jabahar Mishra from Cuttack.

Sibani Patnaik from USA will present a Odissi dance recital which will be followed by a Kathak dance performance by Nalini and Kamilini from New-Delhi followed by a Mayurbhanj Chhau dance presentation by the Mayurbhanj Chhau Dance Project, Baripada (sponsored by Central Sangeet Natak Akademi)

The second day will start with an Odissi vocal by Mahapatra Minati Bhanja, Bhubaneswar with Mardal accompaniment by guru Jagannath Kuanr. Next will be an Odissi dance performance by Dipti Abhilasha from Switzerland and Dipti Mishra, Bhubaneswar.

Then follows a Bharatanatyam dance performanc by Prakruti Bhaskar and her troupe from Mumbai. Next, is a group Odissi dance performance by members of the Orissa Dance Academy, Bhubaneswar which will be followed by a Bihu dance performance (sponsored by E.Z.C.C, Kolkata)

The third day of the festival will showcase a Gotipua dance by Konark Natya Mandap, Arka Vihar, Konark, Kuchipudi dance by G. Sandhyarani and Siva Chandra, Hyderabad, a group Odissi dance by Aloka Kanungo, Kolkata, Sambal Puri dance presented and sponsored by Gunjan Dance Academy, Cuttack and a Bihu dance performance (sponsored by E.Z.C.C, Kolkata).

The director of the festival is Gangadhar Pradhan who is himself an eminent Odissi guru.
Orissa Dance Academy (Bhubaneswar), Konark Natya Mandap (Konark) and Orissa Tourism are the festival organisers and the event is supported by BSNL, KIIT, TATA Steel ltd, State Bank of India and Vedanta Alumina ltd.

Further details can be had from the festival site: www.konarknatyamandap.org.