Sambalpur, July 31: Thousands gathered on the roadoutside the district collectorate today to watch Sambalpuri cultural performances.

More than 700 artistes took part in the roadshow - Bate Ghate - on the stretch from Head Post Office to the Nelson Mandela Chhak. The event started at 10am and concluded at 2pm.

Artistes performed Sambalpuri dance forms such as Ghubkudu, Sanchar and Dalkhai. Singers such as Jitendriya Haripal, Bibhuti Pattanaik, and Padmini Dora enthralled the audience.

The artistes wore Sambaluri attire as did many in the audience. The event also featured Sambalpuri poetry recitation, street play, painting and a photography exhibition. "The programme was dedicated to the doyen of Sambalpuri literature Satyanarayana Bohidar. We will celebrate his birth anniversary on August 1. The district and police administration and several social organisations joined hands to make the programme a success," said a co-ordinator of the show, Deepak Panda.