Prayagraj: The Diwali Crafts Fair was crowded with shoppers throughout the day on Tuesday. People shopped enthusiastically at the stalls of artisans from various states and admired the handicraft products. As evening approached, the cultural stage was filled with folk songs and traditional dances. From the melodious tunes of Kajri to the Jhijhiya and Sohar Khilona dances of Bihar, the artists gave such performances that the audience was forced to applaud.
The cultural evening at the Deepawali Crafts Fair, organised by the North Central Zone Cultural Centre, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by the chief guest Prof. Anand Singh, Principal, Ishwar Sharan Degree College, Prayagraj, Centre Director Sudesh Sharma and Advisor Kalpana Sahay.
The program began with a Kajri song by the students of Nivedita Shiksha Sadan Girls’ Inter College. They received a lot of applause by singing the Devi song “Nimiya Ke Dar Maiya” and the Kajri songs “Jhunjhun Khola Na Ho Kevadia” and “How to Play Sawan Me Kajria” (How will you play Sawan in Kajria).
Following this, Aastha Gupta, who won first place in the Brahmanad competition, and her team performed dances to the songs “Kaise Khelen Jaibu Sawan Me Kajaria” and “Reliya Baron Piya.” Their performance was well received by the audience.
Renu Chandra and her fellow artists, who came from Patna, Bihar, enthralled the audience with traditional folk dances. They presented the Jhijhiya dance on the song ‘Hali-Huli Barsahu Inner Devata, Pani Binu Padal Chhai Akaal Ho Rama’. After this, they presented the Sohar Khilona dance on the song ‘Aisen Babu Patar, Supriya Aisen Jhurhur Ho Lalana, Phoolwa Aisen Sukuwar’. Tanu Sonkar and her fellow artists entertained the audience by presenting Dhediya, Purvi and Jhumar folk dances. The winners of various competitions organized by the center as part of the Swachhta Pakhwada will be honored with prizes and certificates on November 4. The program was conducted by Priyanshu Srivastava.
Special performances will take place at the closing ceremony: On November 4th, at the closing ceremony of the Diwali Crafts Fair, Sachin Kumar will perform Birha singing, Suchitra Tripathi will perform folk dance, Dr. Pawan will play the flute, and Tuhina Ghosh will perform bhajans. Disabled children from the Satvik organization will also perform.
