Bhubaneswar, April 14: Art lovers were treated to a number of theatre festivals being organised lately in the city.

A four-day theatre fest was organised by the drama students of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya on their college campus last week. The fest witnessed a variety of plays being staged by the students as well as prominent theatre groups from the city.

The audience appreciated the play Asanta, adapted from playwright Pranabandhu Kar's story. The play narrates the love story between a struggling writer and a rich girl.

Another play, written by actor Bijoy Mohanty and directed by Sukesh Panda, was also presented. The play Madhyanhara Ranga portrays the lifestyle of the people dwelling in the cities and how urbanisation is gradually diminishing the ethnic culture of the state.

A play titled Amari Bhagaban, directed by Manoj Patnaik and based on the dharma of Krishna, also earned rave reviews. Written by actor Bijoy Mohanty, the play skilfully portrays how servitors are financially exploiting the devotees visiting the popular temples in the city.

In another event, the girl students of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya staged a dance drama on April 11 at Rabindra Mandap. Around 50 artistes from the institute took part in the play.

A member of the audience, Anindita Behera, said: "The performance was well co-ordinated, and I liked their expressions."

The Sambalpuri dialect in songs has always been popular on stage with the people from all parts of the state. The audience appreciated the play, Din, staged by Sambalpur-based theatre troupe Manchanayak.

Based on the life of a girl whose mother died when she was young, the play highlights how family support helps an individual fight all odds in life.

The play was a part of the monthly festival Natyadhara hosted by the Odisha Natya Sangha, a group of theatre organisations from across the state. The play was hosted at Rabindra Mandap on Sunday.

City-based theatre troupe Uttarpurush staged their production at Rabindra Mandap in the city last week. The play Ta Ma Ra Kahani was a solo show by actress Kirta Mohanty - where the life and struggles of a woman artiste is portrayed. Theatre activist Abhinna Routray directed the play.