Artistes perform a traditional folk dance at Sambalpur Lok Mahotsav. Telegraph picture

Sambalpur, Jan. 7: Performances by eminent folk artistes marked the end of the 17th Sambalpur Lok Mahotsav here last evening.

After some folk songs of western Odisha, the audience was treated to dances from across the country such as Chhau, Dhap, Badhai, Gaurbari, Ghudka, Bajnia, Boul and Pala.

“Lok Mahotsav has given us an opportunity to see eminent artistes perform and enjoy some folk dances that are on the verge of extinction,” said Ipsita Mishra, a local resident.

Malaya Behera of Kuchinda Kala Parishad, a troupe that performed the Parampara dance, said: “This is second time I performed here. The people here are very hospitable. It is great to see that local artistes have been given so much priority. This is an encouraging step for artistes of Sambalpur.”

Around 600 artistes from 30 cultural groups from Odisha and neighbouring states participated in three-day festival. Sambalpur Lok Mahotsav, which began in 1997, has carved a prominent place for itself in the tourism calendar of the state. This year, the budget for the festival was around Rs 14 lakh.

Apart from the cultural shows, a photo and painting exhibition organised during the festival also grabbed eyeballs.