CM Mohan Yadav inaugurated the 52nd Khajuraho dance festival
Digital Desk, Bhopal. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that Khajuraho dance festival is our national heritage. Khajuraho is a place where stones have life. There are families of temples located in Khajuraho including Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple, Vaman Temple, Chitragupta Temple, Parvati Temple. There is a confluence of arts in the land of bravery and gems. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav addressed the 7-day international dance festival of classical dances that started on Friday at the World Heritage Site Khajuraho through video conference today.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has called for connecting Sanatan culture with Adi culture. Madhya Pradesh government is committed to the development of diverse arts. Therefore, the amount for the activities of the Culture Department has also been increased in the budget of Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav also welcomed the top dance artists and representatives of dance styles who came to the Khajuraho dance festival.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Khajuraho is a national and international heritage. This year the 52nd Khajuraho Dance Festival has been dedicated to Lord Nataraja, for which the Culture Department deserves congratulations.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that organizing Khajuraho dance festival is a unique effort to connect the rich tradition of Indian classical dance with Dev Natesh Lord Shiva. Art seekers visiting Madhya Pradesh want to come here again.
On the inauguration occasion, Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Religious Trusts and Endowments (Minister of State) Shri Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi and MP Khajuraho Shri V.D. Sharma and other public representatives present also released four books. These books included Nataraja – Reasons for the dance postures of Lord Shiva, Coffee table book focusing on Khajuraho and dance ceremonies, Bundeli – History, Culture and Pride, Bundelkhand – Priceless heritage of Madhya Pradesh.
It is noteworthy that a seven-day prestigious festival is being organized by the Culture Department and Ustad Alauddin Khan Academy of Music and Arts in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India, South Central Region Cultural Centre, Nagpur, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department and District Administration – Chhatarpur. On this occasion, Additional Chief Secretary, Culture Department Shri Shivshekhar Shukla, Director Culture Shri N.P. Namdev, Collector Chhatarpur Mr. Partha Jaiswal and Director of Ustad Alauddin Khan Music and Arts Academy Mr. Prakash Singh Thakur were also present.
The first presentation on the inauguration day was of Kathak dance by Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Ms. Maitreyi Pahadi and friends, Delhi. Well-known dancer and choreographer Maitreyi Pahari presented the dance drama "Pratishtha: Invocation of Eternal Elements". This invocation is dedicated to the five elements—earth, water, fire, air and sky—the forces that sustain life and creation. Through gentle movements and soulful expressions, dancers embody these eternal elements, symbolizing balance, energy and harmony. From this sacred beginning the journey gradually leads to the divine presence of Lord Krishna—the eternal guide of righteousness, love and compassion, who is present in every element and every heart.
After various descriptions of Shiva in the dream, Ms. Anuradha Venkataraman from Chennai started the Bharatnatyam dance performance with Mangalacharan, in which she presented the scene of the grand entry of Lord Shiva in the dream. This composition was written by Lalguri R. The raga has been composed by Shri Ganesh in Hansadhwani and Aadi Taal. In this presentation, the heroine sees Shiva in different forms in her dreams. The verses in this section are taken from the poetic works of Goswami Tulsidas, composed by Deepthi Srinath.
“Chidanandarupah Shivoham Shivoham” Next in order was the Odissi dance performance by Ms. Shubhada Vardakar, Bhubaneswar. His performance was titled Abhedam. Inspired by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya’s Advaita VedantaAbhedam explores the profound Advaita philosophical tradition of Acharya Adi Shankaracharya’s Advaita Vedanta, which proclaims the fundamental unity of the soul and the Supreme Self.
In the dance performances today, on the second day of the 52nd Khajuraho Dance Festival on February 21, 2026, from 6:30 pm, Kathak dance of Shri Vishwadeep, Delhi, Shri Prabhat Mehto, Chhau of Jharkhand and Bharatanatyam dance of Ms. Akmaral Kaina Rova, Kazakhstan will be performed.
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