NEWS

48th edition of Khajuraho Dance Festival was recently held

KHAJURAHO DANCE FESTIVAL 2022

• 48th edition of this festival
• Madhya Pradesh State Rupankar Kala Award and National Kalidas Award for dance will be presented to the various artists
• Feature a number of major events which will focus on the cultural landscape of the various genres of Indian dance
• Visitors will be able to see an exhibition focusing on Kathak-Nepathya, as well as art displays from other countries and conversations with art experts and artists

KHAJURAHO DANCE FESTIVAL

• Organised by the Madhya Pradesh Kala Parishad
• One-week festival of classical dances
• Held annually beside the Khajuraho temples in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh
• Conducted in February from the 20th to the 26th
• Highlights the richness of the Indian classical dance styles such as Kathak, Bharathanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, and Kathakali with performances of some of the best exponents in the field
• Modern Indian dance has been added recently
• The dances are performed in an open-air auditorium, usually in front of the Chitragupta Temple dedicated to Surya (the Sun God) and the Vishvanatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, belonging to the western group

KHAJURAHO TEMPLES

• Built between 950-1050 AD by the Chandela Dynasty
• The monuments include Hindu and Jain temples
• Situated within Vindhya Mountain range
• Got the status of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in 1986.
• Nagara-style architectural symbolism.
• Reported for the first time by Abu Rihan al Biruni in AD 1022 and Ibn Battuta in AD 1335