Two days scintillating presentation of the dances of the Jammu and Kashmir entitled ‘Celebrating Diversity’ conceptualized, designed and directed by Balwant Thakur and presented by Natrang Jammu concluded here today at the auditorium of Spiritual Growth Centre, Katra in the ongoing Navratra Festival-2016.This presentation was inaugurated yesterday by Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board with the lighting of traditional lamp who was joined by SDM, Katra.This two day scintillating presentation of colourful dance traditions of the state of Jammu and Kashmir was sponsored by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra.Mr. A. Kumar, Additional Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board was the chief guest in today's function and the presentation was presided over by Piyush Singla, Additional Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, both appreciated the professional presentation of Natrang and its versatile dancers.Welcoming the august gathering, Director Natrang while introducing this dance based show informed enthusiastically that this acclaimed show is all set to create history for the country for being featured in Trafalgar Square, London on 16th of October, 2016 before over 50,000 world audiences.
The state of Jammu & Kashmir never had the occasion to showcase its cultural strengths before International audiences in such a massive manner. While devising this programme, Balwant Thakur has tried to give representation to majority of cultures of the state of Jammu & Kashmir including Kashmiri, Dogri, ladakhi, Gojri, Pahari, Balti and Bhadarwahi.
On the occasion, Balwant Thakur informed that people will have the rarest occasion to witness Natrang’s internationally acclaimed Dogri play ‘Bawa Jitto’ based on a folk hero who has been a devotee of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi on Saturday and Sunday daily at 4:30 pm at the auditorium of Spiritual Growth Centre, Katra. He further informed that the entry to the show will be open to public and free of charges.The programme ‘Celebrating Diversity’ is a unique cultural album of Jammu and Kashmir showcasing 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 unfolds the mesmerizing artistic traditions of this part of the world.
Each dance presentation despite being different from the other in rhythm and pace has been artistically blended with each other so as to present their harmony and co-relation. Starting with vibrant Kashmiri ‘Rouf’, the programme transports the audiences to a most rejoicing journey of the state of Jammu & Kashmir, unfolding spectacular dance traditions of Kashmiri, Dogri, Gojari, Pahari and Ladakhi cultures. The programme culminates through the presentation of a mega performance ‘Unity in diversity of J&K’, exclusively designed and composed to portray the harmony and the cultural co-existence of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This presentation also represents the vision of the new generation of the artists of Jammu & Kashmir who are not only reviving the wonderful dying artistic expressions in their own way but also believe in integration of the state through cultural and artistic initiatives. The dancers who vibrated the stage with their highly energetic performances included Rahul Singh, Sunny Mujoo, Ankush Bhasin, Nikhil Manhas, Aarti Slathia, Naina Sharma, Bindia, Jyoti Kumari, Saloni Verma, Shazia Batool, Simran Kaur and Rakesh Kumar Kona.