Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 25: Exhibiting the unique diversity that defines the multicultural and multilingual social fabric of Jammu region in particular and the entire State in general, a mega cultural show was held to mark the opening of Jammu office of Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) at the Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu, here today.
Dr Karan Singh, Chairman ICCR, and chief guest of the function, in his address said that opening of the Jammu office would provide an opportunity for local artists to showcase the artistic richness of native cultural practices at national as well as international level. He said under the special ICCR scheme young talent in different fields of arts would be promoted by providing opportunities to perform outside the State. He said opening of ICCR’s office at Srinagar is also at the anvil.
Conceived, directed and organized by Balwant Thakur, Regional Director of ICCR’s Jammu Office, today’s mega cultural show presented by more than 100 artistes, was an ensemble of folk practices of dance and music that are intrinsic to the life rhythm in Dogra society as well as traditional communities in other regions of the State.
The main content of the today’s cultural show based on Dogra folk music and dance comprised of ‘sanskar geet’, love ballads, snippets of history as personified by folk heroes like Baba Jitto, Data Ranpat, Mian Dido and General Zorawar Singh along with cultural legacy of Punjabi bhnagra, Pahari and Gojari and Bhadarwahi folk songs. The Kashmiri and Ladakhi folk dances that marked the culmination of the program completed the bouquet of pluralistic cultural heritage of J&K.
Earlier Anwar Salim, DDG, ICCR, New Delhi, presented the welcome address.
The program, which was artistically conducted by Malti Vijay Gupta, received a standing ovation from more 2000 strong audience, which comprised of the who’s who of Jammu civil society.
In his vote of thanks, Balwant Thakur, thanked the artistes drawn from different parts of the State for making the event a grand success. He said the purpose of organizing such proframs is not only to present to the outside world the rich cultural legacy of J&K but also inculcate a sense of pride for tradition amongst the younger generation who are fast drifting away from their cultural moorings.
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