Bhubaneswar, March 23: Artistes from the Myanmar Theatrical Association have presented dance, music and puppet shows in the city.

Culture enthusiasts in the city were treated to the vibrant art forms of Myanmar at the event, organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the state culture department at Rabindra Mandap on Sunday.

The evening began with four girls, dressed in red gowns, performing a number that involved hand, waist and hopping movements. Accompanied by traditional drums, the dancers showcased a graceful recital.

The traditional puppet theatre followed the recital. In Indian puppetry, the artistes operate the puppets from behind the screen. But here, one could see the artiste controlling the strings.

One of the highlights of the evening was a duet dance that is usually performed at the traditional festivals of Myanmar. The artistes made funny faces and executed humorous acts, making the audience laugh their hearts out. The act was accompanied by the musical instruments ozi (pot drum) and doebat (double-faced drum). The audience appreciated the lively performance of the artistes, fictitiously named as U Shwe Yoe and Daw Moe.

Yama Zatdaw, popularly known as the Burmese version of the Ramayan, was also performed.

Around 11 items, including the Bagan dance of the 11th century, were presented in the evening. The artistes' costumes made the show stand apart. The men wore longyis (a Burmese costume), while the women wore long skirts with brightly coloured tops along with multihued accessories.

The viewers were an enchanted lot. 'We often get to see classical performances here, but rarely we get to witness the art forms of other countries. All the artistes were very refined with their colourful attires, and the recitals were a treat to the eyes,' said Sabyasachi Jana, a photographer.

The troupe is on a three-day tour to the state. They would perform at the Ravenshaw University in Cuttack tomorrow.