Artistes from Uttar Pradesh perform Mathura dance in Puri. Picture by Sarat Patra

Bhubaneswar, June 2: Performers are exhibiting colourful dance forms from all over the country in Puri where Folk Fair 2014 is on since last evening. Tourists from various states and countries are enjoying the performances at Muktakasha Rangamancha.

The dance items include tribal and folk dances. On the opening day, artistes dressed in multihued attires presented a series of impressive dance forms. Each of these performances showcased the culture of the region it represented.

Dancers from Sambalpur presented the famous Dalkhai and Raserkeli, wrapped in handloom saris from their hometown. Both the music and the performance received loud cheers from the crowd. A troupe from Mathura stole the hearts of the viewers and tourists. They displayed beautiful props including peacock feathers and portrayed Krishna and Radha frolicking.

Punjab’s Bhangra and Ganjam’s Ranapa were received enthusiastically by the viewers for the acrobatic stunts on stage.

“The performances were really versatile, from being thrilling and exciting to devotional and spiritual. The dancers really enthralled us all,” said Priyabrata Jena, a local resident.

The fair is in its 12th edition, said organiser Rajesh Mohanty. “We have been hosting the festival in Puri every year. It helps the local art lovers experience tribal and folk dance forms from all over the country,” said Mohanty.

As many as 375 artistes have come together to the city from 17 states including Assam, Mizoram, Bengal, Manipur, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal, apart from Odisha. Apart from the cultural soiree every evening, another highlight of the fair is an agriculture and handicraft exhibition.