Khelo India Winter Games
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 5: As Gulmarg braces to hold first ever Khelo India Winter Games, Jammu and Kashmir Government has made all preparations to rope in traditional folk dancers.
Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Art, Academy Culture and Languages (JKAACL), Munir-ul-Islam informed that the centuries-old popular folk dance called Dhambali has a cultural relevance and Government has made all arrangements for showcasing this unique genre of dance during first ever Khelo India Winter Games-which are scheduled to be held in the famed ski-resort of Gulmarg from March 7.
He informed that several decades back, it (Dhambali Dance) was considered as one of the most popular dance forms of Kashmir and was performed on several cultural and social events across Kashmir region.
“This dance is very different from all the dances performed which is performed on set locations and set occasions,” he said. “It can definitely be a major attraction for the audiences and sports enthusiasts in Gulmarg,” he added.
The Secretary said besides this Bhands would also be performing during the event in Gulmarg. He said that Bhand Pather is a form of theatre dance performed in Kashmir. This dance form does not only include dance but also includes plays between dances that captivates the audience. It shows the lives, traditions and evils prevailing in the society.
First Khelo India Winter Games will be a big sporting event in Kashmir in which many noted sports persons are likely to attend.
Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, Dr Naseem Javaid Choudhary, said that the mega sports event will showcase Kashmir in a big way at the national level and participants could become Kashmir’s brand ambassadors, especially Gulmarg which is known as abode of flowers and its slopes are considered one of the world’s best ski slopes in the world which attracts foreign and domestic tourists and skiers.
“Once the participants from all across the country go back, they will act as brand ambassadors for us,” he said, adding that all the arrangements are in place to make this event a grand success. He said that Government has fine-tuned preparations for the winter games.
The Khelo India Winter Games will be held from March 7 to 11.
“It’s going to be a big event in which around 800 to 900 sportspersons will be taking part in different events,” Director General, Youth Services and Sports, Dr Saleem-ur- Rehman said. Besides teams from J&K and other States, private participants will be part of this national level event, he said.
“The event will showcase Kashmir’s Tourism potential, besides the talent of the participants on the snowy slopes.”
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