Cuttack: The 17th Barabati Nrutya Utsav is set to start here on Friday.

The five-day festival, organised by the Odissi Nrutya Mandal, will open with Sri Radha Darshan, an Odissi ballet by the hosts, and a Sambalpuri folk performance by the Bargarh-based group Nupur.

An open-air stage with the Barabati Fort as backdrop has come up at Killa Maidan for the fest. Mandal secretary Ashis Das said the four acre arena would also have an art and crafts fair.

"The festival, and the fair, aim to chart its own course for a place in the country's tourism map along with the Barabati Fort," Das said.

Odissi dance by Ileana Citaristi, Calcutta-based Kabita Mishra, and dancers from Sri Sri University, Bharatnatyam by Manjistha from Calcutta will be the main attractions this year.

"Odissi vocal by Shyammamani Devi, 81, will be another attraction," Das said.

A few kiosks at the fair will also be devoted to tarkashi or silver filigree.

"The festival has grown over the years, but more efforts needs to be made to turn it into a major dance festival," said Alaka Patnaik, who has attended all editions.