Bhubaneswar, Dec. 8: Odisha will host the first National Tribal Dance Festival here from December 10 to 12.

More than 20 troupes from different districts and integrated tribal development agencies of the state will present ceremonial and ritual dances. Artistes from Tamil Nadu and the northeastern states of Tripura, Manipur and Assam will perform dances of their different tribes, said officials at Odisha’s SC and ST development department, which is organising the event.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to inaugurate the festival.

“We began the tribal dance festival as a state-level programme in 2010. Last year, we had artistes from Chhattisgarh and their performances were immensely appreciated.

“Hence, this time, we have invited tribal dancers from others states so that people residing in urban areas get to see and understand the colourful social lifestyle of tribal communities,” said A.B. Ota, director of the SC and ST development department.

“We also hope that the fest will help bring urban and tribal people closer and stimulate respect for each other,” he said.

Among all states, Odisha arguably has the highest number of tribal groups in the country. The state is home to 62 different tribes.

Dhemsa dance of the Kondhs, Gadua dance by the Lamtaputs of Koraput district, Paraja Rinjedi dance by residents of Kundura block in Koraput, Santal dance from Mayurbhanj, Bonda Niney dance by residents of Mudulipada in Malkangiri, performances by Dongriya Koyas and Raikia Kandhos from Phulbani and Ho dance by the people of Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj will be major attractions among performances by Odisha tribes.

The audience will also get to see performances by Tripuri tribes Reang, Chakma and Mog, Assamese tribe Bodo, Tamil Nadu’s Kurumba and various Naga tribes.

“The troupes from outside the state will perform 10 different tribal dances. Not only are the steps of these dances beautiful, the costumes as well as the music are fascinating. We are sure the festival will attract crowds,” said Ota.