Wednesday 21 September 2016

Khajuraho Dance Festival

The Khajuraho Dance Festival is the celebration of the traditional dance forms against the backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The cultural presentation is an intriguing spectacle of art and traditions of India presented in the form of dance. The site being testimony to India culture and traditions is ideal to present the classical forms of dance. As the winters pass to make for spring, the Dance Festival is organized. Spectators from all over the world attend the demonstration of art in the dance form.

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History of Khajuraho Dance Festival

Khajuraho is an ancient site of India. The temples of the area were built during the rule of Rajput Chandela Dynasty dating back to the 10th century. For around 200 years there were numerous beautiful monument erected by the rulers. The temples had exquisite treasure of carvings. The carved art ranges from day to day lifestyle to karmic sexual activities. The site was lost in the changing wheels of time. After being rediscovered, Khajuraho and its rich heritage appealed to tourists.
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Dance is a celebrated art in Hindu Mythology. Hindu myths have various narrations of great dancers. Shiva's cosmic dance, Tandava, Lord Krishna’s Raas Leela with the gopis (female partners) and the legendary apsaras such as Menaka, Urvashu and Rambha are the most narrated tales of powerful and mesmerizing dances. The practice to organize the festival started from 2002. The dances fascinated crowds and became a tradition. The festival became a popular tradition paying tribute to classical dance, music and art of India.

Celebrations of Khajurao Dance Festival

Khajuraho Festival is organized by the Kala Parishad under the Madhya Pradesh government whereby many popular classical dancers from all over India perform. Discover the glamour of Indian traditions, dance and music. The best known dance forms in India are presented in the festival. Performances of the intricate footwork of Kathak, highly stylized and sophisticated Bharathnatyam, soft lyrical temple dance of Odissi, the dance dramas of Kuchipudi and Manipuri, the ancient civilization and Kathakali stage fights with elaborate masks keeps the audiences spellbound.
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The festival is held to showcase the beauty of human emotions with dance. The event is held at open air auditoriums in two of the most popular temples of Khajuraho, the Chitragupta & Vishwanatha Temple.
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Although the event is a display of dance forms, homage is given to the numerous unnamed artisans who brought to life the exquisite carvings of Khajuraho. It is a remembrance to the heritage that withstood the ravages of time and whose glory still shines through and draws visitors from all over the globe.

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