Jamshedpur, March 23: In a bid to popularise the lesser known traditional dance forms of Jharkhand, the ministry of art, culture, sports and youth affairs has decided to provide them a platform during the forthcoming Seraikella Chhau Mahotsav.

The four-day annual festival begins at Seraikella from April 10.

Earlier, the festival celebrated only three styles of the Chhau dance ? Seraikella, Manbhum and Kharsawan.

Officials in Seraikella Government Chhau Centre, which organises the festival in association with the district administration, revealed the ministry has given clearance for this inclusion.

The director of Seraikella Government Chhau Centre, Tapan Patnayak, mentioned since the festival has been able to gain popularity among the masses over the last four years, it has been decided to use it also as a platform to promote other traditional dance forms of the state.

Invitation has been extended to different groups of all other dance forms of the state including Firkal, Rinjha and Paika to stage their performances on the inaugural day, he informed. ?We expect presentation of these dance forms during the festival will bring them into limelight,? said Patnayak.

Besides, the prize money for the competition has also been raised this time from previous years to attract maximum participation. This year the prize money for the winner will be Rs 12,000, a hike of Rs 2,000. Similarly, the prize money for first and second runners up has been raised to Rs 10,000 and Rs 8,000 respectively. There will also be three consolation prizes of Rs 2,500 each.

Patnayak informed travelling allowance would be provided to the participating Chhau teams. Groups coming from Seraikella and adjoining areas will be given Rs 500. Those coming from Kharsawan will be given Rs 750 and groups from Manbhum will get Rs 1,000.

Sources informed this year about 100 groups are expected to take part in the competitive segment of the festival that begins from April 5.