Day 05 – Niladri Utsav 2025
Natraj Dance Academy (Mentor: Guru Dipankar Nayak) and Darshan Nritya Academy (Mentor: Guru Sudarshan Sahoo)
SHRI JAGANNATH MANDIR, THYAGRAJ NAGAR, DELHI
Behind the Curtains: The Soul of Niladri Mahotsav Day 5 Dance
When the lights dimmed and the stage at Jagannath Mandir glowed with golden lamps, Day 5 of Niladri Mahotsav 2025 became more than a cultural evening it became a sacred offering of rhythm, emotion, and ancient storytelling.
The featured theme of the night, “Bhakti through Odissi”, wasn’t just about movement. It was about merging the body with the divine. Every dancer, whether from Natraj Dance Academy or Darshan Nritya Academy, came not just with choreography but with prayer in their eyes and surrender in their hearts.
💃 The Energy Behind Every Step
What makes the Niladri Mahotsav Day 5 Dance celebration stand out is not just the art form, but the energy behind it. The gurus and students practiced for weeks balancing school, college, and life just to perform for Lord Jagannath.
In one moving moment backstage, a young dancer from Darshan Nritya whispered, “This isn’t just a performance. It’s my aarti to the Lord.”
Such moments cannot be choreographed they are felt.
🧵 The Costume That Spoke Volumes
The silver jewelry worn by the Odissi dancers was more than adornment. Every anklet, belt, and headpiece told a story of Odisha’s traditional craftsmanship.
One of the volunteers shared that the costumes were hand-carried from Bhubaneswar, and dancers rehearsed wearing them multiple times so they could move with fluid grace on the big night.
These little details made the Niladri Mahotsav Day 5 Dance program feel authentic, grounded, and full of soul.
👨👩👧👦 A Family Festival
It wasn’t just performers who poured their hearts into the evening the audience brought equal devotion.
Entire families came dressed in traditional attire. Little girls wore lehengas and clapped along to the taal. Fathers recorded every movement proudly while mothers softly chanted along with the background bhajans.
This wasn’t just a show. It was a shared experience.
📜 Rooted in the Scriptures
Every composition presented had deep roots in Indian scripture. One performance illustrated the Dashavatara the ten incarnations of Vishnu using pure dance, without any spoken word. The audience gasped when the Kalki avatar was represented by a dancer entering with a dramatic sword spin.
Another item beautifully depicted Radha’s longing for Krishna, with poetic mudras that even elderly women in the crowd wept at.
These are stories our ancestors grew up hearing. Watching them unfold live, through such refined art, felt like reliving mythological history.
💬 Words That Stay
After the performances ended, Guru Dipankar Nayak came to the mic and said something that summed up the night:
“In every Odissi movement, there is stillness. In every stillness, there is God.”
Those words echoed even after the stage lights went off.
💖 Keeping Culture Alive Together
In today’s fast-paced digital world, evenings like this remind us why our roots matter. The Niladri Mahotsav Day 5 Dance event wasn’t just about classical dance; it was about reviving cultural memory, encouraging youth participation, and creating devotional moments that people will carry for a lifetime.
These programs don’t just happen they are nurtured by a community. Your support, attendance, and donation help keep the spirit alive for generations to come.
🔔 Be a Part of the Journey
Whether you watched live or online, your presence matters.
📌 Revisit the event on YouTube.
📸 Share your memories using #NiladriMahotsav2025
🕉️ Visit www.shrijagannathmandirdelhi.in for updates, darshan, and donation options.
Visit Our Mandir Page 👉 Learn more about Shri Jagannath Mandir, Thyagraj Nagar
❤️ Support Our Cultural Programs
Every graceful step, every beat of the mardala, and every performance you witness is made possible by the love and generosity of people like you.
At Shri Jagannath Mandir, Thyagraj Nagar, our mission goes beyond rituals — we nurture young talent, promote Indian classical arts, and give students from modest backgrounds a stage to shine.
💫 Many of these young dancers come from families who cannot afford expensive training or travel. Your contribution helps us provide them with costumes, training, travel, and meals — so they can continue to spread the light of our rich heritage.
🙏 Donate today to keep our cultural legacy alive.
You’re not just supporting a program — you’re blessing a child’s dream.
👉 Click here to Donate Now (Eligible for 80G Tax Exemption)
🌼 Your kindness becomes their rhythm.
Come, Be a Part of the Tradition!
