The 50th Khajuraho Dance Festival kicked off in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurating the event alongside other dignitaries. State President BD Sharma and Tourism and Culture Department Tourism Minister Dharmendra Singh were also present at the festival’s inauguration.
Established in 1975, the festival is an annual event organized in Khajuraho by the Culture Department through Ustad Alauddin’s Music and Art Academy in Bhopal, in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Patan Department and the Archaeological Survey of India. This year’s festival will run until February 25th on the grand Muktakashi stage within the Western Temple Group Complex, situated between the Kandariya Mahadev Temple of the Chandel period and the Devi Jagdamba Temple. A variety of classical dances will be showcased during the festival.
The festivities began with the Odissi Shastri dance, dedicated to Lord Shiva. One of the participants, Bindra, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to perform at the prestigious Khajuraho Festival. “It is our great fortune to perform at the Khajuraho Festival, one of the most esteemed festivals in India,” “We are thrilled with the audience and organizers’ appreciation of our performance. We are thankful for the chance to come to Madhya Pradesh and showcase our art. Today’s performance was a dedication to Lord Shiva, an experience like no other.”
During the Kathak Kumbh, Khajuraho entered the Guinness World Records. A remarkable 1484 participants simultaneously showcased their talents amidst the ancient temples of Khajuraho, surpassing the previous record of 1204 participants. An official from the Guinness World Records, Ani Tropo Bali, praised the synchronization and choreography, commending the Madhya Pradesh government as the new record holder.
“Today, I had the honor of adjudicating the largest Kathak dance,” . “Two key aspects stood out: the uniform choreography and the remarkable synchronization. Participants needed to dance for over 5 minutes to break the record, but today’s performance lasted over 60 minutes with 1484 individuals. The previous record of 1204 has been surpassed, making the government of Madhya Pradesh the new record holder.”
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav announced significant developments for Khajuraho, including the establishment of an institute dedicated to dance and music. He emphasized the creation of a Gurukul in Khajuraho, enriching the ancient heritage of art, music, literature, and dance. Additionally, plans were shared for the introduction of Kalakendra, the formation of a municipality, and the inauguration of an Ayurvedic Medical College.
Dr. Yadav remarked, “Today, Khajuraho has set a new record in Kathak dance, establishing a Guinness World Record with over 1400 dancers. This achievement reflects our belief in the rich traditions of classical and folk dance forms, filling us with pride. Khajuraho is already a significant tourism destination, and events like this contribute to its status as a cultural hub that preserves our heritage. We are committed to the development of Khajuraho.”
Earlier, Madhya Pradesh Culture and Tourism Minister Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi had announced that the 50th Khajuraho Dance Festival would be historic, with a Guinness World Record being set this year.
The Ustad Alauddin Khan Sangeet Evam Kala Academi, with support from the Directorate of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh, organizes the renowned Khajuraho Dance Festival every year at the internationally acclaimed tourist destination of Khajuraho in the Chhatarpur district. This festival, according to the official website, is the most popular in the country and is nationally and internationally acclaimed, featuring performances by renowned dance artists.
