Bengaluru’s beloved Odissi dance festival, NAMAN, returns with its 14th edition on Sunday, August 24, 2025, promising an evening steeped in the grace, depth, and timeless beauty of Odissi dance. Curated and presented by Nrityantar, the city’s premier Odissi institution, NAMAN continues its tradition of bringing together some of the finest exponents of the art form on one stage. The venue, ADA Rangamandira, located on J C Road in Bengauru, will once again become a vibrant confluence of rhythm, movement, and devotion as artistes take the stage from 5 pm onwards.
Since its inception in 2010, NAMAN has stood as a heartfelt tribute to the legendary gurus and practitioners of Odissi dance. The festival was blessed at its very beginning by none other than Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, and it has grown to become one of Bengaluru’s most respected classical dance events. The festival’s name, ‘Naman’, meaning ‘salutation’, pays rich tribute to the great gurus who have contributed immensely to the growth & popularisation of Odissi dance. Each year, NAMAN brings together varied styles and schools of Odissi, offering a platform for both traditional and contemporary interpretations of the dance, allowing audiences to experience its depth, range, and evolving expression. The festival has featured many stalwarts from the Odissi world like Guru Smt. Sangeeta Dash, Guru Smt. Aruna Mohanty, Guru Sharmila Biswas, Guru Smt. Bijayini Satapathy, Guru Madhavi Mudgal, Guru Sujata Mohapatra, Guru Surupa Sen, among others. This year’s line-up of artistes promises another unforgettable evening of powerful and captivating performances.
Opening the evening is award-winning Odissi dancer & choreographer, Madhulita Mohapatra, recipient of the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from Sangeet Natak Akademi, the Devi Award 2024 by The New Indian Express, the IIW She Inspires Award 2024 presented at the UK Parliament, and the Kempegowda Award. Widely appreciated for her imaginative choreographic works and ability to captivate audiences through dynamic use of space and interesting themes, Madhulita presents her latest production with her Nrityantar Dance Ensemble—‘Draupadi’s Mahabharata … the epic that began with her’. This expansive and emotionally layered work re-imagines the Mahabharata through the eyes of Draupadi—princess, queen, and fierce voice of conscience. The performance traverses key moments of the epic—from her swayamvara to the game of dice, from the humiliation in the Kuru court to the war of Kurukshetra and its aftermath—exploring themes of justice, duty, dignity, resilience and the moral dilemmas that continue to speak to us today. With music by Shri Rupak Kumar Parida, rhythm by Guru Dhaneswar Swain, and poetic contributions by Ashtavadhani Shri Balachandra Bhat (Sanskrit) and Shri Kedar Mishra (Odia), the production sets the tone for an evocative and memorable evening of Odissi dance.
Following this, the stage will be graced by Guru Gajendra Panda, one of Odisha’s most respected Odissi gurus and performers, and the foremost disciple of the legendary Guru Debaprasad Das. Widely regarded as the true inheritor and chief custodian of the Guru Debaprasad gharana, Guru Gajendra Panda carries forward its distinctive aesthetics and rare compositions with deep reverence and precision. His performances are marked by a meditative intensity, classical purity, and refined abhinaya, offering audiences a spiritually enriching experience.
The final performance of the evening comes from the Soor Mandir Dance Ensemble from Cuttack, Odisha, under the direction of Guru Dr. Jyotsna Sahoo, a dynamic presence in the Odissi world. Known for her meticulous choreography and command over group compositions, Dr. Sahoo leads her ensemble in a powerful presentation that reflects her commitment to classical form and her flair for visually appealing group choreography. Their performance will bring to light the layered beauty of Odissi, combining energy, expression, and aesthetic precision.
NAMAN 2025 promises not just performances, but an immersive journey into the soul of Odissi. The evening will be graced by senior gurus, scholars, and dignitaries from the cultural fraternity. All art lovers, dancers, students, and rasikas are warmly invited to witness this celebration of Odissi dance in all its splendour.
Admission is open to all!
For queries and further details, please contact
Madhulita Mohapatra Artistic Director
Nrityantar Academy of Performing Arts
419, 2nd Cross, OMBR Layout Bengaluru 560043
Phone No. +91-80-25455846 / +91-9972530600 / +91-9945026961 E-mail: nrityantar@gmail.com
