Rourkela, March 10: Residents of the city got an opportunity to witness quality and content rich plays that carried hard-hitting social messages.

The 15th state-level drama festival, organised by the Swosti Jhankar and supported by the Rourkela Steel Plant, started yesterday at the civic centre hall in the city and will continue till March 15.

On the inaugural day, local drama troupe Ame Natua staged Shirihara Faguna, written and directed by Gangadhar Jena. An organising member said that this year, six teams were taking part in this annual festival that started in 2000.

Rajesh Pani, general secretary of the Swosti Jhankar, said the event started in order to give a chance to dramatists of the state to showcase their talents and find out the best among them.

“Drama is the best way to propagate social messages and bring discipline in the society. Along with providing entertainment, the plays had thought-provoking themes to enlighten the viewers,” said Pani.

Today, a group from Bhubaneswar, presented a play. On the next four days, teams from Baripada, Sambalpur, Dhenkanal and Puri will perform and on the final day, the jury will select the best play.

Pani said the best part of the festival was a Natyadarbar, which was presented on the last day of the event. The best play is selected through an intense debate among the jury members at a darbar created at the event.

“We select judges for each evening, who evaluate the quality of play and performances. On the concluding day, they become advocates and debate over the plays they had judged in front of the chief judge. The participating teams will be present there and they will also speak to defend their plays and the chief judge will take a decision after hearing all sides. This time, we have invited renowned set designer and dramatist Aseem Basu to judge the darbar,” said Pani.

The residents, especially the play lovers, said such events had been providing them good entertainment. “These plays have been a great source of entertainment for people like us, who love the traditional forms. Besides, the messages these plays have are inspiring,” said Sandipan Samal, a viewer.