Cuttack: The weeklong dance festival, Katak Nrutyotsav, started at the Raja Bagicha field here on Thursday evening.

Organised by the Katak Nrutyotsav Committee, Lok Sabha MP Prasanna Patasani inaugurated the ninth edition of the festival which will continue till April 18.

On the opening night, the committee honoured Odia singer Pranab Pattnaik with the "Jatiya Kala Ratna Sanman". Several other persons from various fields were also felicitated.

Kalahandi Nrutya Sagar Sanskruti Anusthan, Blue and Bright Inner Talent Academy and Sringar came up with folk dance performances on Thursday.

Committee secretary Dipesh Mohapatra said more than 60 cultural groups would perform - Odissi, Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Bihu, Sambapuru, Paika Akhada, Naga dance, Chatisgadi and Rajasthani.

"The fifth night will be dedicated to Odia singer Late Akshaya Mohanty. Popular Odiya singers will present Akshaya Sangeet - Saptaranga. Besides, students and pass-outs of Ravenshaw university will present a social drama followed by dance presentations by physically challenged and transgender persons," Mohapatra said.

"Like every year, the last day will be dedicated to cancer and thalassemia patients, physically-challenged persons and orphans. The committee will give Rs 50,000 each to the physically challenged and thalassemia, cancer afflicted children who would perform on that day," Mohapatra said.

He said the committee will give away the money from the donations received from social workers - Sunil Murarka, Prabod Mohanty, Hasan Akbar Ali, Durga Charan Das and contributions from the people taking part in the festival. The committee has also given space for several kiosks by self help groups for sale of household and khadi products and publicity kiosks by different departments of the government.