Members of Niladri Vihar Youth and Culture Association of Bhubaneswar perform a play during their annual drama festival. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, May 10: The residents of Niladri Vihar seem to have got into the habit of organising cultural activities frequently.

In the process, this has strengthened their bonds with each other. Whenever they organise any event, they ensure participation from maximum number of people.

Last week, the Niladri Vihar Youth and Cultural Association, an 18-year-old local body, held a two-day annual drama festival. Two plays were staged at the event. The residents took up various responsibilities to make it a success.

Portraying social and moral issues prevalent these days, the plays were similar to the folk dramas or jatras. Titled To Katha Bhari Mane Paduchhi by Ramesh Chandra Sahoo and Sindura Kahiba Swami Kahara by Kailash Mallick, the plays were directed by Bhagaban Panda. Many local residents played different roles in the plays.

“Niladri Vihar is a vast residential area and people here actually hail from different parts of the state where cultural activities were once vibrant. To keep the tradition alive, we started this association to hold cultural events almost two decades ago,” said Dayanidhi Swain, cultural secretary of the association. He said this had helped the residents to bond with each other. “The common idea about localities in Bhubaneswar is that people here do not interact with neighbours as much as is seen in Cuttack or other places in the state. However, organising events and participating in the activities either as actors or through different aspects of event management such as, arranging stage, costumes and so on, has helped us function as a unit for years,” he said.

“I was awaiting this function and had rehearsed a lot to portray my role well. My neighbours had encouraged me a lot and I am glad that my performance was satisfactory on stage,” said Gagan, a member of the association.

The residents of Niladri Vihar and other localities attended the event. “We feel proud to be a part of this locality, one of the most culturally vibrant ones in Bhubaneswar. The plays or cultural events, organised by the association, have always been impressive and we enjoy a lot,” said Ritu Tripathy, a resident.