Artistes of Puratani Kala Mandir, Puri, perform at Odissi Music Festival at Bhanja Bhavan, Rourkela. Picture by Uttam Kumar Pal

Rourkela, Jan. 9: A classical music sojourn began here after the enthralling array of plays staged at a theatre fest came to an end yesterday.

The regional drama festival, organised by National Institute of Technology and the district culture council under the aegis of state culture department and Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi, saw state level artistes presenting power packed performances.

The festival that commenced on Sunday saw the play titled Bhangijau thiba sapna mane presented by the host district.

The play was penned by Nibedita Jena and directed by Prafulla Chandra Sethi. On the following day, Angul-based artistes presented Jagannathara Gaon that was written and directed by Mukund Satpathy. The play, as the name suggested, was devotional in its essence with a social message.

On Tuesday, a theatre group from Sambalpur staged Kathantara. The playwright of which was Ashish Sonar and the director was Satya Ranjan Behera. On the concluding day, the play Nadir Paein Nadke Jaye was presented by artistes from Bargarh.

Written by Rajesh Kumar Keria, it was directed by Dolamani Meher.

Theatre aficionados were delighted to witness the regional productions. “The festival showcased groups from various districts of Odisha which had so much diversity in their presentation, style and format of plays. It was nice to see them all presenting their unique productions,” said Kapil Pradhan, a visitor.

On the concluding day of the drama fest, which took place at the auditorium of the host institute, an Odissi music festival began.

The programme, held at Bhanja Bhavan, was organised by state department of tourism and culture and GKCM Odissi Research Centre in association with city-based groups and associations like Bhanja Kala Kendra, Rourkela Steel Plant and Bhanja Cultural Trust.

On the inaugural day there were a few group performances each by Puratani Group, Puri and Jagannath Kumar and group, Bhubaneswar. Binapani Rath from Rourkela, Chandramani Lenka from Puri and Matru Prasad Das from Balasore presented solo recitals. The festival will conclude on Friday.