Traditional dance forms enthral audiences at Prabasi Bharatiya Divas

Bhubaneswar: A gala cultural programme organised by Indian Council of Cultural Relations on the theme Bharat and Bharatiyata performed at Prabasi Bharatiya Divas here this evening. Artists from across the country performed folk and classical dances in this programme.

It showed our cultural richness and diversity explaining about our glorious civilization that has been as outward-looking and adventurous in the material world, as it has been inward-looking, spiritually with this connection from the times of the Indus Valley Civilization with the present world to mutual benefit and shared progress.

The performance unfolds inside a giant ship, portraying the struggles of the Girmitiyas in foreign lands. Their journey of hardship is expressed through the dynamic movements of Chhau and contemporary dance. A projected clock on the ship symbolizes the cycle of time. The dance presentation also began with Classical Kuchipudi dance depicting the Sindhu-Saraswati civilization, maritime trade and the cultural connect.It was added with glimpses of Ramayana and Buddha’s spiritual journey as the world recognizes India’s ancient wisdom and India continues to show the world, the path to universal peace and harmony.

The performance waa also with classical Tarana music with the blending of classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Manipuri, Kathakali and Kuchipudi. Artists enthralled the gathering with such rich tradition of dance and music with their exquisite costumes. Merchants and traders specially Maritime history of Odisha and other parts of India sailed the high seas from Harrappan times to distant parts of the world and this has continued till modern times.

This theme with perfect blend of music was performed with folk dances from states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur ,Arunachal Pradesh and Punjab.

Finally, 110 Dancers holding earthen Diyas in their hands, creating a serene and spectacular ambience were on Stage on Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s poem “Where the mind is without fear” celebrating ‘Pragatisheel’, modern Bharat in the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, praying for peace, prosperity and happiness- Sukh, Samriddhi and Shanti.

This storytelling was made even more vivid through a visual depiction on an LED backdrop complemented by a voice narrative by Maitreyee Pahari.