Odissi dance being performed in different cities

KASKI: Indian classical Odissi dance is being performed in different cities in Nepal on the occasion of Holi festival.

The Odissi dance troupe led by Kakali Bose gave its first performance in Pokhara, the tourist capital city of the country, on the eve of Phagupurnima (Holi) festival Saturday evening.

The event was supported jointly by the Indian Embassy and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Kathmandu.

Nepal Tourism Board and Pokhara Tourism Council jointly organized a cultural programme on Saturday evening at Barahighat in Pokhara with the participation of more than 500 people, presenting Odissi dance and Nepali folk dance.

According to the Indian Embassy, the team is scheduled to perform in Lumbini on March 24, in Birgunj on March 25 and in Dharan on March 26.

Sritakamala, Sakhi Hai, Dashavatar and Vasant Bahar: Odissi dances are presented in the difficult moves and emotions of Indian classical dances, presenting the colours of spring. Apart from this, folk dance was performed along with Nepali Lakhe dance, Newari typical dance.

The Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Surendra Raj Pandey, Gandaki Province Government and the local government representatives in Kaski and officials of the Indian Embassy participated in the event.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Pandey said that there are many cultural similarities between Nepal and India. He mentioned that this programme helped to show the diversity of the two countries and their cultural harmony.

First Secretary of the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, Avinash Singh, stressed on centuries-old cultural relationship between India and Nepal.

Odissi is a classical dance from Odisha, India.