Bhubaneswar, Jan. 4: Art lovers will be in for a treat with renowned artistes from across the country set to perform in two major cultural events lined up this month.

The state culture and tourism department's annual festivals - Mukteswar Dance Festival and Rajarani Music Festival - will be hosted between January 14 and 20 in the city.

Known for its elegant carving, the Mukteswar Temple will come alive from January 14 to 16 with a number of Odissi performances scheduled during the event. The dancers will pay tributes to Lord Shiv, the reigning deity of the temple, through Odissi compositions.

There will also be other themes during the dance performances in solo, duet and group categories.

"The complex of the legendary temple will serve as the venue of the Mukteswar Dance Festival. This event celebrates the unrivalled charisma of Odissi, the classical dance form of the state," said Manoranjan Panigrahi, the secretary of state culture department.

This year, solo performances will feature Rahul Acharya and senior dancer Bijoyini Satapathy as well as young dancer Arushi Mudgal, who is known for her precision.

Duet artistes include Sheha Manjari Hota and Aniket P. Nayak, Madhulita Mohapatra and Meghna Das, Madhusmita Mohanty and Ramesh Chandra Jena, while groups include Kumkum Mohanty's group, Aloka Kanungo and group, Pratibha Panda and her troupe.

For those, who love Indian classical music, the Rajarani Music Festival will be the place to be.

It will be held in the courtyard of the Rajarani Temple. "This event is an occasion to celebrate the richness and originality of Indian classical music.

Evening concerts by great maestros with experts playing musical instruments will captivate the audience with the soul-lifting music," said state tourism secretary Gagan Dhal.

The festival to be hosted from January 18 to 20 will feature vocal artistes such as veteran Odissi singer Mohapatra Minati Bhanja, the famous Wadali brothers and Ashwini Bhide Deshpande in Hindustani vocal, apart from Carnatic vocalist T.M. Krishna. The highlights of the event will be performances by santoor maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and sarod siblings Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan.

Art enthusiasts in the city are excited about the upcoming events.

"It will be a special experience to witness such eminent artistes performing at the events," said Nupur Hota, an art lover.