Cuttack: A dance and music started festival, organised by Utkal Yuva Sanskrutik Sangh (UYSS) in association with the district administration, started here on Tuesday evening.

Inaugurating the event, judge of Orissa High Court, Justice D.P. Choudhury, said festivals like the Cuttack Mahotsav contribute to keep alive the tradition and classical dance and music forms.

After the inauguration, one minute of silence was observed as a mark of homage to the president of Sangh Dilip Kumar Patodia, who passed away on Monday night.

The stage at Sarala Bhavan came alive with the opening of Kuchipudi duet by G. Ratheesh Babu and Shewta Nayak from Bhilai.

It was followed with a Bhartnatyam performance by Annaika Ahuja from U.K. The first evening of the festival ended with an Odissi ballet presented by Bhubaneswar-based Suravi group under direction of Guru Pitambar Biswal.

General secretary of Sangh, Kartik Rath, said the first five days of the festival will be held at Sarala Bhawan while the Heritage Hall of Ravenshaw University will be the venue for the event on the last two days.