Spectators mesmerized, Kalbelia and Ghoomar dances won hearts

Prayagraj: On the tenth day of the Deepawali Crafts Fair organized by the North Central Zone Cultural Center, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, on Saturday evening, the unique shade of Rajasthani folk music and dance immersed the audience in the fragrance of folk culture. Artists from Rajasthan, along with traditional dances like Bhavai, Ghoomar and Kalbelia, gave such a wonderful performance on the famous folk songs ‘Kesariya Balam Padharo Mhare Desh’, ‘Nibuda-Nibuda’ and ‘Damadum Mast Kalandar’ that the entire pandal reverberated with thunderous applause.

Bhangur Khan and his companions enthralled the audience with their captivating jugalbandi of folk instruments Morchang, Khadtal and Dholak. In Kalbelia dance, the swaying body postures and snake-like twists of the female performers mesmerized the audience. The dancers’ gestures became even more captivating when they demonstrated their dexterity by lifting a ring with their eyelids. After this, Bhavai and Ghoomar dances seemed to complete the cultural evening. The audience was enthralled by the curves of Ghoomar and the balancing art of Bhavai.

In the cultural evening, Bhajan singer Priyanka Chauhan gave a melodious presentation of folk songs related to Diwali and Chhath festival. She started the program with ‘Gauri Ganesh Manaun Aaj Sudh Lije Hamari’ and created a devotional atmosphere with bhajans like ‘Jai Ho Mahalakshmi Maa, take my boat across’, ‘Play the drums to welcome me, Ram has come to my house’. In the end, the songs ‘First of all, we did Chhathi Maiya Barat for you’ and ‘Jode-Jode Phalwa Suraj Dev Ghatva Pe Tiwai Chadhaeli Ho’ forced the audience to dance.

The eleventh day of the Diwali Crafts Fair was inaugurated by lighting a lamp by chief guests Prof. Satyapal Tiwari, Director, Faculty of Humanities, UPRTU, Prayagraj, and Prof. Lalit Kumar Tripathi, Director, Central Sanskrit University, Prayagraj. Center Director Sudesh Sharma and Advisor Kalpana Sahay welcomed the chief guests with bouquets. The program began with a performance by Birha singer Raichandra Pal. Sanjay Purusharthi conducted the stage. A large audience was present.