Virasat-2003, a 12-day treat of local, national and international folk performances, begins at Ambedkar Stadium here on September 19.

Evolved on the lines of the Theban Celebrations of ancient Greece, the festival will have program that include folk performances, classical and Sufi music, Doon film festival, crafts, educative and intellectual workshops, seminars and speeches by eminent personalities, acording to N.N Prasad, Secretary (Tourism).

Being organised by Rural Entrepreneurship for Art and Cultural Heritage (REACH) with support from the State and central tourism departements, the idea behind the show is to expose the locals to their owm and international talent as well as develop Virasat an international event that promotes tourism in the State according to R.K. Singh, general secretary of REACH.

The star attractions will be performances by Langa Manghaniars, Wadali Bandhu, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Rajan Sajan Mishra, Birju Maharaj, theatre by Naseeruddin Shah and the film festival by Prakash Jha. Indonesian and Turkmenistan dancers will also present the best of performances from their regions.

Special workshops and exhibition will be held for school children to ensure active participation of the younger generation, Mr Singh said. (The Hindu)