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Puri beach festival a tourist attraction
by Sarada Lahangir

     Puri: Orissa's Puri Beach festival, showcasing the state's traditional cuisine and handicrafts with a mixed touch of traditional and modern trends, has drawn a large number of tourists. Organised by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Orissa (HRAO), the Puri Beach Fesitval is intended at depicting Orissa's art and cultural heritage.

     According to the organisers, the festival has been a grand success in the wake of the number of tourists increasing every year. "It has been a great success and every year the number of tourists, coming to Orissa only to attend the Puri Beach Festival, is increasing. Our objective has been achieved after tourists from Canada, Italy, and France have come to watch this festival. The hotels in Puri have 90 per cent occupancy," said J K Mohanty, the organiser and Secretary Hotel and Restaurant Association of Orissa. With the growing popularity of the Puri Beach Festival around the world, the organisers said they plan to invite international artistes to perform here from next year. "Next year, we are planning to have many international artistes who want to perform in India. And our association in collaboration with the Department of Tourism and Culture, we are going to invite international artistes to come and perform at the Puri Beach Festival," added Mohanty. The festival was first conceptualized in 1993. Visitors feel that it is a platform where one can learn more about the various hues of Indian culture. "It looks very interesting and looks very exciting to be here. I did not realise when I came here, but I am glad I am here," said Charles Pitchley, a foreign tourist. "We come to know of the different cultures of different States especially the Oddissi performance of Mahabharata. I liked the Oddissi vocal too," said Vaishali, a visitor. Troupes from Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Goa, Rajasthan, West Bengal and other States are performing in this festival. Artistes participating in the festival described it as a nice opportunity to display their talents. "I will say the beach festival is the best thing for artistes, as it provides a scope for new talent. It feels nice to perform before an appreciative crowd," said Moushumi Madhu Chanda. Folk dances like Chadheiya and Ranappa, besides the captivating Sambalpuri dance recital kept the audience seated throughout.

    Other folk traditions to feature at this year's event were Ghoda Nacha or horse dance, Ghoomar, Ranappa, Chhau and Danda. The celebrated Gotipua dance, which is believed to be the genesis of Oddissi, was a standout feature of the festival.
-Nov 27,  2006

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