The 17th Veer Surendra Sai drama competition in Sambalpuri dialect began here on Tuesday with much fanfare.Yuba Udayan, a socio-cultural organisation of the town, is organising the event for the last 16 years to popularise Sambalpuri drama. As many as 21 plays would be performed by various troupes from across western Odisha between December 24 and 31, informed Sanjaya Mishra of Yuba Udayan. On the first night, the artists from Sambalpur and Melchamunda, Bargarh staged ‘Prayaschit’ and ‘Thir’, respectively.

“The drama is never for entertainment only. We want to give specific message to the society through this cultural extravaganza,” Mishra said, adding “Our aim is to boost Sambalpuri language that is as rich as any other Indian language.”

In Prayaschit performed by troupe ‘Swara’ of Sambalpur, the artists successfully gave a message to the society not to be selfish. Man must be ambitious but he should not choose a path beyond morality to get his dream materialized, said the drama with an emphatic voice. It was directed by Manas Ranjan Mishra.

Similarly, Thir by Janakalyan Parishad of Melchamunda, Bargarh, was another popular and successful performance of the inaugural night. The drama was based on a person having an indomitable temptation to become a rich man in life. The story of a young man neglecting his family and even old parents for greed of wealth is the central theme of the drama. But in the end, he realizes his mistake and comes to sense. The performances of the actors and actresses were worth seeing.

Hundreds of spectators witnessed the drama competition in spite of the chilling cold. “I never fail to witness the drama competition that is held every year here. It is a pleasurable occasion for me and my whole family,” said Minati Mishra, a school teacher.

The drama competition will continue up to December 30 while prizes will be distributed on December 31, the organizers informed.