Konark Festival
1st-5th December 2003

1st Day:
The thirteenth century monument of Sun Temple at Konark holds special significance in India and world at large. The annual Dance festival at Konark, 14th in long series got off to a histrionic beginning on 1st December at Konark. The festival was inaugurated by Shri Satrughan Sinha, Hon'ble Union Minister of Shipping who attended as Chief Guest. He was greatly impressed by the stupendous Sun Temple and its intricate art and architecture. His august presence in the festival added glamour among the local enthusiast. Sri Naveen Patnaik, Hon'ble Chief Minister attended the inaugural ceremony as Chief Guest by lighting the lamp. Sri Damodar Rout, Hon'ble Minister Panchayati Raj, I & PR and Culture, Sri Surendranath Nayak, Hon'ble Minister, School & Mass Education, Shri A.U Singh Deo, Hon'ble Minister Tourism & IT, Sri Asit Tripathy, IAS Commissioner-cum-Secretary Tourism & IT, Sri G.N. Mohanty, IAS Director Tourism and many other eminent dignitaries also attended the inaugural function.

The Additional Yatrinivas Complex of which the foundation was laid a year before, was also inaugurated and dedicated for the tourists occupation. After lighting the lamp, the first item of the evening was performed by Odissi Research Centre. The artists of ORC dramatized a version of the English play 'King Lear'. The second item of the evening was Kathak performed by Asim Bandhu Bhattacharya and Group of Kolkata followed by Sambalpuri dance performance performed by Sambalpur Kala Parishad, Sambalpur. The audience were enthralled by the dance performances of Kathak and Sambalpuri . While the artists are on the stage with the rhythm, calmness prevails outside.

Another attraction of the festival was the presence of Handicraft Exhibition, artists Camp and Sand art of Sudarsan Patnaik. On the first day of the festival 2030 number of domestic and 77 foreign tourists witnessed the programme and ticket was sold at worth of Rs. 6445/- towards entry fee from the tourists.

2nd Day:
The second day programme of the Konark Festival 03 got off to a formal opening with dance performance by the Kathak Group of Kolkata. It was more vibrant than the previous day. The group performed Vasudeva based on the life of Lord Krishna and the other number on a theme, based on great epic The Mahabharat. The second item of the evening was Kuchipudi performed by Deepika Reddy and group, Hyderabad. They started the evening programme with an invocation of lord Ganesha composed by Bala Murali Krishna and choreographed by Kishore Mosalikanti and presented by Deepika Reddy. The audience enjoyed every bit of the programme through the dazzling performances. The third item of the evening was Ghumra Dance presented by the artists of Mahavir Sanskrutika Anusthan of Bhawanipatna. Their acrobatic body movement and rhythmical beating of drums was a treat to watch.

The dancers made the audience spellbound by their dazzling display of masterly folk dance performances. The admixture of classical with folk dance was nicely appreciated by various visitors. 74 foreign and around 1200 domestic tourists witnessed the programme with great zeal.

3rd Day:
The third day of the ongoing Konark Festival 03 was truly superb on many counts. The first item of the evening was performed by Chennai based Bharatnatyam exponent Urmila Satytanarayan and Group. They started the evening with Puspanjali followed by a pure dance number 'Allaripayatu". 'Shiva Bandana' her solo performance was a great repository of her dancing skills.

The second item of the evening was performed by Bichitrananda Swain and group where they performed a pure dance number ' Chandrika Kamodi Pailabi'. The dance group made an incredible impression among the audience, and were at their elemental best with the tunes of the rhythm. 

The third item of the Konark Festival was scintillating. The Ranapa Dance performance by the artists of Narendrapur Kala Vikash Kendra of Ganjam made everybody spellbound by their body balance and acrobatic movement. This is followed by Sankhadhwani and Chadheia Dance, a unique display of craftsmanship of the artists. Around 71 foreign and 1550 domestic tourists witnessed the programme.

4th Day:
The first item of the fourth day of the Konark Festival 03 kicked off with exemplary power play of Manipuri dance by Manipuri Nartanalaya, Kolkata. The group started with Basant rasa, the traditional dance of Manipuri popularly known as the soul of Manipuri dance. They also performed a number Dhol Dholak Cholam an acrobatic dance style performed during the holy period. The acrobatic body movement and synchronization of the group dance depicting Radha, Krishna and Gopi was a treat to watch.

The second item of the evening was Bharatnatyam performed by Urmila Satyanarayan and group, Chennai. This stylized dance form and graceful footwork of the group through display of the number Om Shakti and a folk dance of Haryana was a classic example of her repertoire as an acclaimed danseuse. The group made the audience spellbound.

The third and last item of the evening was Patra Saura performed by Lipiloi group. The group under the able guidance of Guru Khedu Sahu enthralled the audience through their acrobatic body movement where they performed a number of Shiva Parvati. Around 80 foreign and 1950 domestic tourists witnessed the festival. Visitors from all across enjoyed the programme.

5th Day:
The fifth and final day evening of the Konark Festival started with Chhow dance by Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya Bhubaneswar. The second item of the evening was performed by the Manipuri Nartanalaya of Kolkata and Imphal. The group led by Kalabati Devi and Bipin Singh with depiction of a theme portraying the story of Shrupanakha, Asoka etc. was simply a treat to watch and got wide acclamation from the attending tourists. The concluding item of the evening and Konark Festival was Peacock dance performed by Sakhu Nisad and group of Chhatisgarh. The group started with Peacock dance followed by Mangalacharan and concluded with Deepa dance (dance with light).

Hon'ble Minister Revenue & Law Shri Biswabhusan Harichandan attended the evening as Chief Guest and formally declared the festival closed in the presence of Shri Panchanan Kanungo, Hon'ble Minister of State, Finance (Ind.), Shri P.K. Mohanty, IAS, Chief Secretary of Orissa, Shri S. C Hota, IAS, Agricultural Production Commissioner, Shri Asit Tripathy, IAS Secretary Tourism & IT and Shri Gopinath Mohanty, IAS, Director Tourism. A host of other dignitaries also witnessed the festival. 74 foreign and around 2000 domestic tourists witnessed the festival. The foreign tourists those who attended the festival praised the overall performances of the Festival.