52nd International Dance Festival started in World Heritage Khajuraho. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav called it a national heritage. The event dedicated to Lord Nataraja started with grand performances of Kathak, Bharatnatyam and Odissi.
Bhopal. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that Khajuraho dance festival is our national heritage. Khajuraho is that holy place where even the stones have life. The grand temples located here like Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple, Vaman Temple, Chitragupta Temple and Parvati Temple are symbols of our cultural richness. The Chief Minister addressed the seven-day International Classical Dance Festival that started from Friday at the World Heritage Site Khajuraho through video conference.
Address by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav: Emphasis on cultural preservation
Mohan Yadav said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for connecting the primitive culture with Sanatan culture. Madhya Pradesh government is fully committed to the development of diverse arts. For this purpose, the amount for the Culture Department has been increased in the state budget. The Chief Minister also welcomed the eminent artists and representatives of dance styles from India and abroad who came to the function.
52nd event dedicated to Lord Nataraja
The Chief Minister said that Khajuraho is an important heritage both at the national and international level. This year’s 52nd Khajuraho dance festival is dedicated to Lord Nataraja. He congratulated the Culture Department for organizing this event. This event is a unique attempt to connect the rich tradition of Indian classical dance with Dev Natesh Lord Shiva. He said that all the art seekers who come to Madhya Pradesh wish to come here again.
Release of books and presence of public representatives
On the inauguration occasion, Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Religious Trust Shri Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi and Khajuraho MP Shri V.D. Sharma and other public representatives were present. Four important books were released on this occasion. These include ‘Nataraja – Reasons for the dance posture of Lord Shiva’, coffee table book based on Khajuraho and dance ceremony, ‘Bundeli – History, Culture and Pride’ and ‘Invaluable Heritage of Bundelkhand-Madhya Pradesh’. This seven-day prestigious festival is being organized by the Department of Culture and Ustad Alauddin Khan Academy of Music and Arts. In this there is cooperation of Archeology Department, South Central Region Cultural Center Nagpur, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department and District Administration Chhatarpur. Additional Chief Secretary Culture Shri Shivshekhar Shukla, Director Culture Shri N.P. were present in the program. Namdev, Collector Chhatarpur Mr. Partha Jaiswal and Academy Director Mr. Prakash Singh Thakur were also present.
Inauguration Day: Soulful presentation of Kathak
On the first day, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner Ms. Maitreyi Pahari (Delhi) presented Kathak dance. He presented the dance drama ‘Pratishtha: Invocation of Eternal Elements’. This presentation was dedicated to the five elements – earth, water, fire, air and sky. Through soft expressions, graceful movements and expression the dancers conveyed the message of balance, energy and harmony. The presentation progressed to the divine presence of Lord Krishna, the eternal symbol of dharma, love and compassion.
Bharatanatyam presentation: Many forms of Shiva in dreams
After Kathak, Ms. Anuradha Venkataraman from Chennai presented Bharatnatyam. Starting with invocation, he depicted the grand entry of Lord Shiva in the dream. This composition was combined in Raga Hansdhvani and Adi Taal. The heroine sees Shiva in different forms in her dreams. The verses for the presentation were taken from the works of Goswami Tulsidas.
Odissi Presentation: “Chidanandarupah Shivoham”
After this, Ms. Shubhada Vardakar from Bhubaneswar presented Odissi dance. His presentation was based on the title ‘Abhedam’. It was inspired by Advaita Vedanta philosophy and gives the message of unity of soul and God. The feeling of “Chidanandarupah Shivoham” was realized in the presentation.
Day 2 Performances: Kathak, Chhau and Bharatnatyam
On the second day of the festival on 21 February 2026, Shri Vishwadeep of Delhi will present Kathak from 6:30 pm. After this, Mr. Prabhat Mehto from Jharkhand will present Chhau dance and Ms. Akmaral Kaina Rova from Kazakhstan will present Bharatanatyam.