Bhubaneswar, April 13: The weeklong Odisha Mahotsav being celebrated in Bhopal has provided a platform for broadening the cultural horizon of the state.

A number of cultural performances, including art exhibition, dance, music, poets' meet, recital and plays, are being conducted at the famous multi-art centre of the city Bharat Bhavan.

The Madhya Pradesh government has taken an initiative to bring before the people of Bhopal the vibrant cultures from various states of the country. Earlier, artistes from states such as Bihar, Bengal, Rajasthan and Maharashtra have performed in the arts complex.

On the inaugural day of the festival, mridangam concert, Gotipua dance and Odissi recitals were performed.

The Aradhana Dance Academy from Bhubaneswar showcased their acrobatic skills through Gotipua folk dance. Around nine male artistes from the group presented recitals based on the love saga of Radha and Krishna. Eminent dancer Meera Das performed with her troupe. Dedicated to Lord Jagannath, her sequence was titled Jagannath Mangalam and enacted the Jagannath temple's culture.

Yesterday, dancers from Odissi danseuse Ratikant Mohapatra's group Srjan showcased their latest production Yathagamanam. Mohapatra said the recital was a "bouquet of contemporary creations", in which he had fused Odissi with ballet and a few folk art forms of the state.

But, the traditions of Odissi, Mohapatra said, he kept intact in the presentation. "Apart from using Odissi costumes and the traditional musical instrument mardal, I took the lyrics of the song from the Rig Veda," said Mohapatra.

Three noted theatre troupes Satabdira Kalakar of Dhira Mallick, Manana Natya Sanstha of Manoj Patnaik and New Quest Repertory of Nalini Nihar Nayak also staged their productions.

The play Amari Bhagaban directed by Manoj Patnaik was based on the dharma of Krishna. Written by actor Bijoy Mohanty, the play highlighted how servitors in the name of the Lord exploit human beings financially.

Speaking about his experiences of performing at Bhopal, Patnaik said: "We interacted with the local artistes there, and a number of productive and interactive sessions took place. The audience was quite curious about the theatre scenario of our state."

Based on a story written by playwright Pranabandhu Kar, Satabdira Kalakar's play Eka Mati Aneka Akasa enthralled audience and Nalini Nihar Nayak's play based on a story written by short writer Manoj Das was also appreciated.

Mallick, who is also the secretary of Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi festival, said: "The mahotsav was highly helpful in strengthening the cultural relations between the two states."

The valedictory ceremony will be held tomorrow.