President inaugurates folk dance fest to mark R-Day festivities

New Delhi, Jan 24 (UNI) President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today inaugurated the six-day folk dance festival 'Lok Tarang' to mark the Republic Day celebrations in the Capital.

The function, organised by the Ministry of Culture, saw dance sequence from over a dozen states came alive on the stage at the Hamsdhawani Open Air Theatre here at Pragati Maidan.

Joining President Patil on the occasion was Minister of Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni.

Comprising more than 700 artists from the seven zonal cultural centres all over the country, the dance fest marks the beginning of festivities of the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations.

The function would be open for the public for the next five days at the same venue at 1730 hrs.

UNI AN SR AS2112