Bhubaneswar, Feb. 19: The 30th edition of the annual Konark Dance and Music Festival commenced at the Konark Natya Mandap today evening.

Dancers and musicians from across the country are taking part in the five-day festival. Odissi dancer Gangadhar Pradhan had started this event. From classical to folk dance and music, various genres of art forms are performed here.

On the opening day this year, Nrittyakshetra Dance Academy from Chennai presented a Bharatnatyam recital, while Bhubaneswar-based flute player Srinivas Satapathy performed a flute recital. Both were appreciated by the audience, which included mostly foreigners.

"The dance and flute performances were both wonderful. The venue also adds to the mesmerising experience," said Flora Heinz, an American tourist.

"Many eminent artistes had performed in the earlier editions of the festival. It was my privilege to perform on the same stage today," said Satpathy. In the following days, Sattriya by Lima Das from Assam, sarangi by Sabir Khan with tabla player Shahnawaz Khan from Rajasthan, Gotipua by Jayakrushna Nayak and his group from Konark, Kathak by Richa Gupta from Delhi, Odissi music by Puri-based Chandramani Lenka, folk theatre or Gitinatya by Bhubaneswar-based Labanya Theatre, Kuchipudi by Subhasheelam Academy of Fine Arts, Chennai, classical fusion by Laya Vinyas from Calcutta, Chhau by Gourabandhu Mohanta from Mayurbhanj and tabla by Anuradha Pal from Mumbai will be staged at the event.

"We have tried to uphold the vision of my father who had started the event. We have included many young but promising artistes this year. The main objective of the festival is to create cultural harmony through interaction of artistes from different disciplines," said Gangadhar Pradhan's son Sibashish, the organiser of the event.

A lifetime achievement award named after Guru Gangadhar Pradhan is also presented every year on the concluding day of the event.