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Bhubaneswar: The Vrindavan Festival organized by Odia Language, Department of Literature and Culture and Vrindavan Gurukul was held today at the Ravindra Mandap of Bhubaneswar. The main attraction of the evening was Bollywood's 'Dream Girl' and Bharatanatyam performance by PM Hema Malini of Mathura.

The program was inaugurated by the traditional lamp lighting ceremony by Hema Malini, eminent composer Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, eminent dancer Aruna Mohanty and Ratikant Mahapatra and Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja. Hema Malini started her performance with “Pushpanjali”, followed by devotional performances like “Ganesh Aradhana” and “Lakshmi Stuti”. He then mesmerized the audience with a beautiful dance based on the bhajan “Aaji Bada Danda Bhira, Gundicha Jatra Kari”. Another major attraction was Jaydev's song Govinda.

He was accompanied by a dancer of the Natya Vihar Kala Kendra, while the disciples of Vrindavan Gurukul demonstrated their music talent on the flute and tabla, making the evening atmosphere divine. Hema Malini expressed gratitude, saying, “Odisha is a land of rich art, culture and heritage. It is a great pleasure for me to perform on the holy land of Lord Jagannath. The music, dance, food, dress, literature and traditions of Odisha are really unique.”

Puri MP Sambit Patra, who was present at the program, appreciated the performance of Hema Malini. The program concluded with a joyful festival of Holi. Hemamalini thanked the people of Odisha for her warm hospitality, making the festival memorable.