Rourkela, April 7: The 16th All Odisha Nataka Mahotsav is being held at the Civic Centre here.

Organised by Swosti Jhankar, a socio-cultural organisation, the event began on Sunday. The eight-day long festival will host a number of plays from various regions of the state.

The inaugural evening on Sunday saw a memorable performance by the Sambalpur Cultural Association. It staged a play titled Kathantara. The ever-changing contemporary world, failing social values and the importance of relationships were the three main themes of the play.

The lack of understanding that leads to complexities in life is also vividly portrayed in the play. Satyaranjan Behera, who was honoured at the event, directed the play.

Ashis Kumar Sonar wrote the script. Narendra Mishra, one of the leading stage actors of the state, was the guest of honour. He spoke about the importance of the audience and how it boosts the morals of the actors.

"The audience holds the life of the play. Without the audience, plays have no meaning. It is like performing in a big vacuum," said Mishra.

"The audience is god for people associated with theatres. Starting form technicians to directors and actors, it is the audience which makes their day," Mishra said.

Mishra felt a strong need to change the way theatres were being pursued in the state these days.

The organisers are upbeat over the response.

Swosti Jhankar general secretary Rajeeb Pani said: "Theatre is a way of life for us. We must give the audience an exposure to the contemporary happenings in the theatre. It would hold their attention and also earn their patronage."

The festival will end on April 12.