Marvelous Moves

She began the performance with the Ganesh Vandana, Vakratundamahakaya, 8220;This is an appeal to Ganesha, the lord who protects from all obstacles and hardships. To bestow his blessings upon his devotees,8221; says Khurana. After Ganesh vandana she performed the Ardh Nareshwar, A he Shailya and Pallavi. 8220;Ardh Nareshwar is dedicated to Godessess Parvati and Lord Shiva, who are the parents of Lord Ganesha, A He Neel Shailya is a form of the Orissa Abhinay, it depicts the emotions of a Muslim devotee of Lord Ganesha who is in pain and who faces religious obstacles to enter a Hindu temple where he wants to pray before the idol of the deity. Pallavi is a form of abstract expression with beautiful moments,8221; she explains.

Her compelling performance received many accolades at the Festival. While she left the audience truly mesmerised, Khurana was also overwhelmed by the warmth and welcome she received. 8220;In the spiritual and religious aura when people appraised my performance I was completely taken by, and when an elderly woman came up to me and blessed me for the performance, the moment was just blissful,8221; she feels.

Khurana, one of disciples of the maestro, Pandit Kelucharan Mohapatra and Guru Natbar Maharana was initiated into folk and Kathak dance since an early age. 8220;I was always fond of dancing, earlier I learnt folk dance, then I went on to learn Kathak, but one day when I saw an Oddisi dance performance by Pandit Kelucharan Mohapatra, at a concert, I was completely amazed and was taken by his recital. That8217;s when I decided to learn Odissi dance. I expressed my wish to him and he agreed to teach me,8221; says Khurana who is very devotional towards her dance. 8220;For me, dance has always been my daily prayer. I consider it to be a blessing by the almighty,8221; says Khurana.