Dec 23-31: Odisha Biennale 2019 hosting 70 plus artists from across the world
Masako Ono, the Odissi dancer of Japanese origin, now a resident of Bhubaneshwar is the brain behind this biennale event that started in 2013.
BHUBANESHWAR (ODISHA): India’s grand art & culture event Odisha Biennale 2019 (December 23-31) is hosting more than 70 artists, artisans and designers from India and across the world showcasing their art and performances in Bhubaneshwar, the capital city of Odisha, the cultural state of India.
Themed as ILLUSION, the 9-day long 4th edition of Odisha Biennale 2019 is being organized at Kala Bhoomi, Odisha Crafts museum by MUDRA foundation with the support of state-owned Odisha Tourism department.
Mudra Foundation was founded by Masako Ono, the globally acclaimed Odissi dancer of Japanese origin, who has traveled to over 22 countries in the last 10 years to astonish the art lovers with her scintillating performances. She has also performed during the event in the presence of Indian PM Narendra Modi and Japanese Shinzo Abe early this year.
According to Masako Ono, who was appointed as cultural ambassador of Tokyo Odisha Biennale 2019 aims to build a variety of cross-cultural discourses in the fields of dance, art, music, photography, film, design and fashion in an international context with special attention to creating a sustainable environment by amalgamating social causes with the reaches of cultural and artistic efforts.
Odisha Biennale, 2019 will be hosting more than 70+ artists, artisans and designers from India and abroad to showcase their art and performances.
Some of the featured artists who will be entertaining the crowd during 9-day long extravaganza in Bhubaneshwar include Adishakti Theatre Arts – India, Akito Sengoku – Japan, Fabiola Guillen – Mexico, Kan Collective – England, Laxman Das Baul – India, Osamu Adachi – Japan, Rene Loui – Brazil, Rie Goto – Japan, Surya Performance Lab – India and Von-noz –Japan.
And Masako Ono – Japan herself too will perform in this event.
The event would also witness workshops and symposiums by Akito Sengoku – Japan (Water Art – Only for kids), Kan Collective – England (Dance), Rie Goto – Japan (Editorial Design), Nanako Koyama – Japan (Editorial Design), Chiaki Aizawa – Japan (Editorial Design) and bamboo jewelry, Odia craft.
While talking about the theme of the event Odisha Biennale 2019, Masako Ono told Asian Community News (ACN) Network that the idea was to showcase the world contemporary India which is replete with centuries-old art, culture and heritage yet.
“Some people in various parts of the world carry different perceptions about India that it’s a country of rickshaws, stray cattle, poor people and so on and so forth. Through events like Odisha Biennale 2019, I will attempt to wash away this illusion about India. I want to tell the world that India is not India what it was about 20 years back, and it has changed and progressed beyond their imaginations,” said Ono adding, “I want to project India as new India, and tell the world that It is not only the heritage here but much more than that.”
Also read: Masako Ono does India proud, to perform Odissi dance at Japan’s National Theatre
“I feel bad when I see the tickets for the Opera or Classical Belle performances abroad get the best of theatres of the world and fetch hefty prices of Rs. 25000 per seat. On the contrary, the Indian classical performances abroad sell tickets at Rs. 1500 per seat. It is painful for me. It took me 10 years to say I am a professional dancer and can now request for remuneration for my performances. I feel proud that India is growing,” added Ono.
Odisha Biennale Background:
Odisha Biennale was launched by Masako Ono in 2013 as a global convocation of visual and performing artists with all their diversity. It aims to bring together tribal, folk, classical and contemporary art forms and artists from all over the world under one roof and develop and present a program/exhibition that challenges traditional thinking and encourages new levels of enthusiasm for innovative creative expression.
Odisha Biennale invites artists, academicians, curators, scholars, and all manner of creative people for a time and space in Bhubaneswar, Odisha to collaborate with the local artists, craftsmen, technical experts, scholars, and the people of Odisha and create a presentation.
It not only aims at introducing the art of Odisha to the world but also to create a platform for the people in Odisha, especially the youth and the children who bear the future could enjoy the sensory pleasures of experiencing the international contemporary art.
