Dancers from Maharashtra perform a traditional folk dance during the Festival of Maharastra in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

People here are being treated to the varied art forma of Maharashtra at a four-day cultural festival that began at Utkal Mandap on Thursday. The event is a part of the Centre's 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' scheme that pairs Odisha with Maharashtra.

"The objective of the festival is to enhance the understanding and bonding between both the states and strengthen the unity and integrity of India. We have plans to organise more such events this year under the joint aegis of both the states," said tourism director Nitin Jawale. A large contingent from Maharashtra is taking part in the festival to showcase various art forms such as tamasha, lavani, povada and kirtan. Organisations such as Film City of Mumbai, JJ School of Art, Archaeology Department of Maharashtra, the state government, and Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation have joined hands to set up around 70 kiosks to uphold Maharashtra's diversity of traditions.

Maharashtra State Small Scale Industrial Development Corporation has put up about 50 kiosks to display and sell a large variety of artefacts, decorative items, jewellery, handicraft and spices from the western state.

A cycle rally from Puri to Nagpur and a few literature festivals will be held as part of cultural exchange programmes this year. The state government will also organise Odisha Festival in Maharashtra in the near future.