Famous Gopalpur beach festival begins

BERHAMPUR: Blowing of twin conch shells, rhythmic sounds of cymbals and staging of several folk dances kicked off the famous Gopalpur beach festival at the sea-side resort, of Gopalpur-On-Sea about 10 km from Silk city Berhampur.

The five-day festival, organised by Ganjam district hotel association in collaboration with the Gopalpur beach festival committee, began on December 24th. Folk, classic as well as modern dances performances by different groups from Orissa and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Mumbai and Kolkata will be organised during the festival. Traditional folk dances including 'Ranapa', 'Bharat Leela' and 'Sankirtana' troupes from different parts of the state would be performed on different days of the festival.

The five-day Gopalpur beach festival was inaugurated by Agriculture Minister GoO Damodar Rout. Among others seniors ministers of Govt. of Orissa Suryanarayana Patra, Bikram Keshari Arukh, Debi Prasad Mishra, Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahy attended.

Thousands of tourists from various parts of the state attended the inaugural function with artistes performing Ranapa, Odissi, Sambalpuri and other folk dances. Besides the cultural programmes, Gramshree Mela is also being organised. As many as 120 stalls have been put up for rural products. The event is being organised by the Ganjam District Hotel Association.

Sources: PTI, NewIndpress, Orissabarta