Aurangabad's famed Ellora Festival is set to return in the city at the end of January after a gap of three years.
Due to be held every evening from Jan 27-29, the festival of music and dance that at its inception was held against the backdrop of the majestic Kailasnath, the centrepiece of the Ellora Caves, will be hosted at the 17th century Sunehri Mahal haveli.
Mr Dilip Shinde, joint Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation said that the three day festival will include a Bharat Natyam performance by danseuse Hema Malini, Kuchipudi by the husband-wife duo Raja and Radha Reddy and a vocal recital by Arti Anklikar.
The festival will also provide a platform for local artisans and artistes to display their work. Last year, the MTDC launched Kalagram, the artistes’ village and exhibition of their handicraft will be a part of the 3-day extravaganza, Shinde said, adding that around 8000-10,000 people attend the event.
The annual festival was not held during 2008 on account of the 26/11 attack in Mumbai and the following year because of the swine flu scare. What is being held later this month is technically the 2011 edition of the Ellora fest.