The group, comprising 26 artistes all below 22 years, held the audience and the judges spellbound with their performance, which was based on episodes from the Mahabharata.

Led by their 26-year-old dance teacher Krishna Mohan Reddy, who never had any formal training in dance, the group won the Rs.50 lakh (Rs.5 million) cash award and a Maruti Suzuki Ritz car.

Reddy, who arrived separately Monday, said all the artistes would now concentrate on dance.

'We are now planning to participate in international competitions,' he told reporters.

Reddy also thanked people of the state, the corporates, media and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for encouraging them throughout the competition.