Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 14: Organized by Jammu Regional Office of International Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi (ICCR), a dance and music show by artistes from South Asian county Laos, was performed at the Police Auditorium, here today.
The second performance of a foreign artistes in the winter capital, held under the auspices of ICCR, since its Jammu office was established in June this year, presented by National Art Troupe Veintiane the capital city of People’s Democratic Republic of Laos, started with a dance item ‘New Day of the Vientiane’.
Choreographed by the National Artist Maisinh Hongsavanh, the dance gave audience the flavour of the eastern world which has its unique rhythmic patterns, glittering costumes and variegated variety of moves and actions.
Today’s performances by the visiting international artistes comprising of items that showcased the traditional as well modern forms of music and dance, gave Jammuites an idea about the distinct culture Laos. The country which along with ancient influences from India in form of Theravada Buddhism has also incorporated influences from China which are reflected in Laos in language, art, literature and the performing arts.
In all the visiting artists presented 13 items, each item was different from the other representing the representative variety of Laos culture which is an amalgam of different ethnic groups categorised by Laos Government into three main categories according to linguistic, ethnic and geographic criteria.
J&K Police which collaborated the show also supported the presentation of local cultural item representing the Dogri language and culture as the grand finale of the function.
Mr Ashok Prasad Director General J&K Police was the chief guest on the occasion whereas Kiran Prasad was the guest of honour. In his welcome address Regional Director of ICCR, Jammu Balwant Thakur dwelt upon objective of holding such programmes by the ICCR to promote understanding with the other nations of the world through cultural initiatives.
A short film on ICCR was showcased on the occasion which gave a bird eye view of the activities of ICCR and the description about its very being by the President ICCR Dr Karan Singh.
At the conclusion of the function, the foreign guests were felicitated by Director General of Police and President PWWA on behalf of Indian Council for Cultural Relations. The programme was conducted by Anil Tickoo and the vote of thanks was presented by Dilbagh Singh IG Jammu on whose behalf the local items were presented.