Bhubaneswar, July 21: The state government has signed an MoU with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to promote artistes from the state on international platforms.
Culture secretary Arabind Padhee, who signed the agreement with ICCR's deputy director-general Arun Kumar Sahu, termed the partnership a welcome move to spread art forms of the state.
"Apart from dance forms such as Odissi and Gotipua, a large number of people are still not aware of the rich cultural heritage of the state. The theatrical and musical scenario are quite active and it is high time steps are taken to promote them," said Padhee.
During the international cultural exchange programmes, ICCR and the state government will take care of the transportation and remuneration of the troupes apart from providing the necessary administrative support.
"We will facilitate participation of the rural artistes of the state at various popular international festivals. Until now, only a few groups got such opportunities but we will try to ensure that different cultural troupes are taken to perform abroad. The focus would be on various folk art forms," said deputy director-general Arun Kumar Sahu.
As a part of the tie-up, ICCR will also facilitate performance by popular cultural troupes from across the globe in the state to give the audience here an exposure to various international art forms.
That apart, a number of literary meets and artist camps would also be conducted for promotion of art and literature.
"We would invite prominent literary figures and artists for interactive sessions with the young guns of the state. It would give them a proper exposure," said Padhee.
The MoU has been signed for two years and would be extended if necessary. Henceforth, logos of both the organisations will be put in the banners and hoardings of the cultural programmes jointly conducted by them.