Bhubaneswar, Dec. 9: Theatre exponent Dhira Mallick and artiste Tarakant Parida have taken charge as secretaries of the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Odisha Lalit Kala Akademi, respectively.

They said their primary aim would be to promote talents from the grass-roots level and bring them to the forefront of the state's cultural scene.

'Plans are on to select young dancers, singers and theatre artistes from the block and district levels through workshops and competitions and invite them to perform at the cultural festivals organised by the culture department. This would give them the necessary exposure and promote their skills,' said Mallick.

Mallick said plans were also on to identify local theatre troupes from the rural areas of the state. 'We have decided to divide the districts into five zones. Competitions will be held in each zone. From them, the best group will be selected. All the selected groups from each zone will perform at a festival that we will organise in the city,' said Mallick.

Senior theatre artistes and film-makers will be requested to conduct workshops to impart scriptwriting and acting skills in the young theatre lovers.

Speaking on the government's plans to acquire classical music status for Odissi, Mallick said: 'We will discuss the issue with the central government shortly and place our proposal. Stalwarts of Odissi music are doing the necessary research.'

Parida said he would ensure that the young artistes got enough opportunities to explore their creative talent.

'A number of artistes fail to get recognised as they do not get proper platform to showcase their talents. Hence, it is necessary to shift the focus towards them. Veteran artistes will be requested to pass their skills on to the upcoming generation,' said Parida.

Apart from conducting exhibitions, steps will also be taken towards providing financial assistance to the artistes.

The secretarial posts of the four bodies functioning under the aegis of the state culture department - Odisha Lalit Kala Akademi, Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi, Odisha Sahitya Akademi and Odisha Urdu Akademi - have been lying vacant for over a year.

These institutes were set up to endorse the cultural traditions of the state. With the top positions remaining vacant, promotional activities under these bodies are getting affected.

Asked on the fill-up move of the secretarial posts of the Sahitya Akademi and Urdu Akademi, state culture director Sushil Das said: 'The selection process is on, and it will be over shortly.'