Gandhinagar: Renowned exponents graced the Uttarardh Utsav 2025, a festival of classical dance held at the Modhera Sun Temple in Mehsana on Jan 18 and 19. The event was organised by the state govt’s cultural activities department.
An official statement said the Sun Temple’s courtyard featured performances from internationally acclaimed artists who performed the Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Kathak, Kathakali, Manipuri and Sattriya classical dance forms.
Among the performances was a mesmerising tribute to Goddess Lalita by Krupa Ravi Nithyaesh. It began with an invocation and a soulful daru varnam in Khamas that brought to life Goddess Meenakshi. Through intricate footwork and expressive abhinaya, the dance vividly depicted the Goddess’s triumph over Lord Shiva, ultimately uniting with him as Lord Sundareswar in Madurai.
The piece also celebrated Goddess Lalita as the supreme sovereign of the universe. Uttarardh Utsav is celebrated at the Modhera temple to mark Uttarayan.
An official statement said that the festival is celebrated to propagate the “guru-shishya” tradition of Indian classical dances.