Ocean Dance Festival 2019, an international dance festival, organized by Nrityajog, Bangladesh Chapter of World Dance Alliance–Asia Pacific (WDA-AP) will begin today. The four-day festival will take place at the beach next to Cox’s Bazaar Mermaid Eco Resort. 200 dancers, teachers, researchers and choreographers from 15 countries will join the festival. The matter was confirmed by Nrityajog president Anisul Islam Hiru.
He said, ‘This is the first time such a festival is taking place in Bangladesh. More than 200 dancers from around the globe are taking part in the festival. We wish to have this festival on the beach every year from now on. ' In addition to dance performances the festival, guests will take part in presenting thematic talk, workshops and seminars. In addition to the beach, there will be two rounds of dance performances at the Cox Carnival Auditorium. Internationally selected artistes will come to the stage with performances every day from 5pm.
Folk dances, contemporary dances, classical dances and dance-drama will be performed by nationally selected artistes from 7:30 onwards. Local performances will include Amit Chowdhury and Sweeti Das 'Rupantor', Zuiriyah Mouli's 'Ardhanarishwar', Shammi Akhtar's 'Maine', Anindita Khan's 'Refugee', Moumita Jaya’s 'Religion: A Cause of Conflict in Culture', Abu Naim Khan’s ‘Lalon’. ''Ariful Islam Arnab’s ‘Manush’ man, Tahanun Ahmed's 'Azan', Mehraj Haque Tushar's 'Trust', Alka Das Pranti's 'Kathak to Odishi', Brishty Bepari’s ‘Frame of Mind’, and many more.
Dance troupes that are participating include Shadona, Nrityanchal, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Kalpatoru, Bhabna, Dhriti Nritonaloy, Bondhu Social Welfare Society. Artists include Laila Hasan, Moonmoon Ahmed, Tamanna Rahman, Rajdeep Banerjee, Saju Ahmed, Samina Hossain Prema, Warda Rihab and others.
Dance-drama ‘Badi-Bandar Rupkatha’ will be shown at the festival. The play directed by Sukalyan Bhattacharya will feature dance performances from Shamim Ara Nipa, Shibli Mohammad and 80 artistes. Performances by foreign artists include Taiwanese dance production 'Batu with Armament', 'Not Alone', 'Impressions of Our Home Town', 'Greater Than Two Less Than. From the US performances include Trikon Connectivity', from India 'Ages', ‘In Transit’ , 'Unshared Desire', 'Touch the Sound'. From Korea performances include 'Spring Coming with a Warm Bridge' and from China ‘Toilet Pump’. There will also be joint performances.
