Excelsior Correspondent
SHIV KHORI (REASI), Mar 8: Natrang presented a unique show ‘Celebrating Cultural Melange’, featuring various traditional dance forms of Jammu and Kashmir at Shiv Khori Mela-2016, organized by Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board in collaboration with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and District administration, Reasi.
The show was conceptualized, devised, designed and directed by Balwant Thakur. Supported by a narrative of each individual component of this mega show, Balwant Thakur has tried to translate his vision into a composite presentation, which speaks about the regional integration and communal harmony of J&K and celebrates it through varied artistic expressions.
The programme ‘Celebrating Cultural Melange’ a unique cultural album of Jammu and Kashmir, showcased the variegated variety of different colors, rhythms, costumes, design patterns and artistic expressions through the dances of J&K. This amazing bouquet of rarest dance traditions beautifully unfolded the mesmerizing artistic traditions of this part of the world. Each dance presentation was artistically blended with each other so as to present their harmony and co-relation.
Starting with vibrant Dogri ‘Jagarna’ of Jammu and Kashmiri ‘Rouf’, the programme transported the audiences to a most rejoicing journey of the State of Jammu & Kashmir, unfolding spectacular dance traditions of Kashmiri, Dogri, Gojri, Pahari, Bhadarwahi and Ladakhi cultures. The programme culminated through the presentation of a mega performance ‘Unity in diversity of J&K’, exclusively visualized designed and composed by Balwant Thakur to portray the harmony and the cultural co-existence of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The artists who gave mind-blowing performances, included Sunny Mujoo, Anil Sharma, Bharat Bhushan, Vinay Sultan, Deepak Kumar, Razia Akhtar, Jyoti Kumari, Jyoti Raina, Mehak Reshi, Deepali Sharma, Kajal Rajput, Simran Kour, Khushi, Ruchika Khajuria, Geetanjali Khajuria, Sonia Rajput, Pratiksha Sharma, Rupali Gupta, Vishali Sharma, Apurva Sharma, Pooja, Sweety Bhagat, Dawa Golkar, Padma Thinles, Phuntsug Namgyal, Sonam Phunstog, Lobzang Samstan, Tsetan Angmo, Stanzin Idwong and Tsetan Dolma. The show was choreographed by Rakesh Kona.