Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The department of culture is going to organise the longest mega classical dance marathon (relay) including all major Indian classical dances to get into the Guinness World record at International Khajuraho Dance Festival 2025.
The seven-day dance festival will start from February 20-26. Artistes from Madhya Pradesh will perform the classical dances including Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi for more than 24 hours to get into the record.
Choreographed and directed by actor and disciple of Pandit Birju Maharaj, Prachi Shah from Mumbai, the dance marathon will begin February 19 at 2 pm and will continue till February 20 at 5 pm at Adivart Museum, Khajuraho. The final performance will be held in presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at 5pm. Kaushik Basu from Mumbai will compose and direct the dance performance.
Initially 25 groups of 5 artists each will be formed in which around 125 artists will participate. Students of senior art gurus of departmental music college/university and dance have been invited for the presentation. Director culture N P Namdeo has told the Free Press that the Khajuraho temples have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. “So, the department is trying to highlight Khajuraho at the global level through dance,” he said.
In a first, Children's Dance Festival
Besides, Khajuraho Children's Dance Festival is also being organised for the first time to preserve the Indian classical dance tradition and to increase cultural awareness among the young generation.
Online applications were sought for participation; 50 applications were received for Bharatnatyam, 13 for Odissi, 2 for Kuchipudi, 222 for Kathak, 1 for Mohiniyattam and 22 for traditional.
Of them, 14 children have been selected for the performance by the selection committee of senior dance gurus. The performances of the selected dancers will be held on a special stage from 4 to 5:30 pm,” Namdeo added.
