Berhampur: A Kuchipudi performance by a civil engineer left the audience mesmerised at the Ganjam District Youth Festival that concluded on Sunday.
Radheshyam Tarai, 26, who completed his BTech degree in civil engineering from Sanjay Memorial Institute of Technology, danced to Sibudu ananda tandaba in raga malika set to aditaal.
The organisers of the district youth festival along with Laxman Kumar Das, guru of Tarai, felicitated him on Saturday, the inaugural day of the festival.
In January, Tarai had represented the district in the National Youth Festival at Rohtak in Haryana and secured second position in Kuchipudi.
"K. Himanshi of Tamil Nadu stood first, I was second and Rimsha Ambar of Chhattisgarh stood third in the National Youth Festival at Rohtak. But, I would definitely perform better in the next festival," said Tarai who is also a Ghudki folk dancer.
A native of Bhatakumarada in Ganjam district and the son of Ghudki performer, Neelakantha Tarai, Radheshyam said he developed interest in Kuchipudi and decided to make a career in this field. "I like the way the dance form reflects the feelings. It is beautiful and lyrical. It touches my heart," said the dancer.
Taria has performed in Malaysia and Brazil. "I would like to perform on international stages and earn laurels for the state," said the 26-year-old youth.
Radheshyam is now pursuing a degree in Bharatnatyam in Kala Kaveri College of Fine Arts in Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu. "I will also pursue a degree in Kuchipudi after I completed the Bharatnatyam course," he said.
Ganjam district sports officer Prasant Kumar Sahu said the 23rd Ganjam District Youth Festival-2017 has attracted art lovers in the city to witness various performances by young and talented participants.
"The festival will provide the needed exposure and appreciation to all the participants," he said.
A total of 345 participants took part in 18 events on Saturday and about 400 participants took part in six events on Sunday. The participants who stood first at an event will represent Ganjam in the State Youth Festival to be held in Deogarh shortly.
