A sand art on Gopalpur beach. Picture by Sarat Patra

Berhampur, Dec. 25: Sounds of twin conch shells and cymbals have marked inauguration of the Gopalpur beach festival at the seaside resort, Gopalpur-On-Sea, about 10km from the city.

Several forms of folk dances were staged and playback singers Tarif Aziz, Sima Chakraborti, Asima Panda and Nandini Behera performed on the inaugural day.

Folk, classical songs and comic skits by various groups will be staged during the five-day festival, which started yesterday. The programme, organised by the Ganjam district administration, culture department, NAC Gopalpur in collaboration with the Ganjam District Hotels’ Association, will conclude on December 28.

“Traditional folk dances such as Ranapa, Ghanta, Jodisankha, Mrudanga, Chadheiya, Ghumra, Bharatleela and Prahllad will be staged. Artistes from other districts are also taking part in the festival. Various forms of dance — Chhau, Odissi, Gotipua and Ghoda Nacha — are being organised by the song and drama division,” said K.C. Nisanka, the festival co-ordinator and the retired assistant director of the culture department.

“The financial provision for this festival is Rs 30 lakh, and about 200 artistes would perform every day. We have arranged accommodation for the artistes in the carry centre, youth hostel and other places,” said Pradeep Panigrahi, chairman of the festival committee and minister of higher education.

“A big stage has been erected and the total area of the festival has been increased by four times to help the organisers have exclusive space for food stalls, army weapon display, Pallishree mela, trade, textile and craft mela, and sand art. The theme of the stage is sea and the blue sky decorated with conches,” said event manager Akshyendu Patnaik.

Arindam Chakraborti, Abhijit Mazumdar, Pappu Pom Pom, Sizzlers Dance Group, Rituraj Mohanty, Amriti Bharati Panda, Aryan Dance Group, Mosin Khan’s rock band are among other artistes, who would perform in the festival.

The Santa Claus sand art by Satya Maharana of Berhampur and Varun Raja by Maheswar Sahu of Chatrapur have attracted many visitors.

Yesterday, Ae mere watan ke logo, Jay ho, Kandhon se milte hein kandhe, Ae watan ae watan — all songs, accompanied by music by the army bands, filled the air. Nandini Behera rendered the hit numbers such as Satyam Sivam sundaram and Ek Radha Ek Meera. Besides, songs by Ollywood star Tarif Aziz, Sima Chakraborti and Ashima Panda, too, mesmerised the audience.