Vibrant tribal dance forms ruled the stage at the Ranchi University (RU) Inter-College Youth Festival at St Xavier's College on Monday.

Students of various colleges showcased the state's rich culture by presenting chhau and other tribal dances on day two of the three-day event.

Dressed in eye-catching costumes and accessories, a 15-member team of students from Silli College performed Mahishasur Mardini through Manbhum Chhau to thunderous applause from audience.

"We are participating for the first time in this inter-college fest after we got selected at our college-level fest," said Khudiram Kuery, a first-year student of Santhali at Silli College and one of the dancers.

Another 15-member all-girl team of Kartik Oraon College in Gumla, clad in traditional white and red bordered saris, presented Nagpuri dance while balancing kalash or clay pots on their heads.<>"We presented on stage a traditional marriage ritual of the tribal culture. Carrying kalash on the heads indicates happiness," said Geeta Kundu, a first-year student of the college.Namita Singh, a second-year student of Nirmala College, depicted the picturesque Dassam Falls in the poster-making event, the topic for which was the scenic beauty of Jharkhand.

"For art lovers, Jharkhand's flora and fauna are enough to fuel their imagination. For me Dassam Falls is breath-taking and a pride of the state," she said.

The topics for rangoli and collage competitions were Welcome Festival and Developed India, respectively, while topics for on-spot painting and debate were Vision 2020 and India Should Opt For Presidential Form of Government.

Among the colleges that took part include Bundu College, Nirmala College, Doranda College, Mandar College, Silli College, SS Memorial College, Ranchi College, Marwari College, St Xavier's College, Ranchi Women's College, Gossner College and Chotanagpur Law College.

"Usually, we have students from 15 colleges mostly from the city taking part in the youth fest, but this year we have participation of students from cradles situated on the city outskirts like Mandar, Silli, Bundu. They are immensely talented, but rarely get a chance to showcase it," said Kamal Bose, coordinator of the fest.

Bose said that After the fest, 40 students would be selected to take part in the inter-university youth festival in January 2017.

Khudiram is already hopeful. "I hope we can represent our varsity in the east zone," the Silli College student said.