‘Dhol di Thap’ made NCZCC dance”
Prayagraj: Punjabi songs and folk instruments enthralled the audience at the Baisakhi festival. The echo of the dhol, the melodious tune of the sarangi and the sweetness of folk songs that made the feet start dancing automatically… Such was the scene at the Cultural Centre auditorium on Monday evening. The occasion was the ‘Baisakhi Mahotsav’ organised under the joint aegis of the North Central Zone Cultural Centre, Ministry of Culture, Government of India and Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Academy, where the colourful heritage of Punjab came alive on stage. The auditorium of the Cultural Centre was not only packed with spectators, but everyone was seen drenched in the traditional colours of Punjab.
Folk Orchestra set the stage on fire – The festival was inaugurated with traditional energy by the Folk Orchestra group. Manpreet Kaur sang Shukra Da Tiya, as soon as the tunes of songs like ‘Aaya Ladaiye Tainu Sherha Wala Vyawan Aaya’ and ‘Kala Doriya’ resonated, the entire hall reverberated with thunderous applause. With their excellent performance, the artists made the audience feel the fragrance of the fairs and fields of Punjab. Oye Hoye! As soon as the tunes started, the audience could not stop themselves and were seen dancing to every song. The magic of Rakhi Hundal and Kuldeep Toor’s melodious voice – Renowned singer Rakhi Hundal enthralled the audience with her melodious voice singing ‘Meri Jugni De Dhaage Pakke’ and ‘Bhabho Kad Le Sanduk Cho Garara’. Meanwhile, when Kuldeep Toor sang ‘Nit Khair Manga Sohneya Main Teri’ and ‘Ankhiyan Nu Rehn De’ in a soulful style, the gathering fell silent and people were lost in her melodious tunes. Sukhwinder Kaur’s Sufi songs then made the evening even more spiritual.
A magical jugalbandi of folk instruments: The show’s peak came when Paramjeet Pammi and group presented a jugalbandi of dhol, flute, harmonium, sarangi, alguja, and tumbi. The combination of these traditional instruments created such a mesmerizing atmosphere that the audience remained glued to their seats late into the night. Navdeep Preet Singh accompanied them on the flute, Gurpreet Singh on the dholak, and Gulchan Singh on the sarangi.
The program was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by Chief Guest Sardar Manjit Singh, President of Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Academy Sukhminder Kaur Brar, Deepak Khanna, Film Producer and Center Director Sudesh Sharma, Deputy Director Dr. Mukesh Upadhyay, and Program Advisor Mrs. Kalpana Sahay. Himani Rawat conducted the program.
