J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages organised a One Day Folk Festival at Sainik School Nagrota, Jammu with an aim to provide a glimpse of rich cultural folk traditions of J&K to the staff and students of the school.
At the very outset, Secretary JKAACL, Bharat Singh said that such programmes aim to revive the rich and vanishing vernacular culture of Jammu region. The youth are highly enthusiastic to witness the grandeur of the regional heritage, he said.
Parveen Akhtar A Desai, the first Lady of the Sainik School Nagrota was the Chief Guest on the occasion. In the beginning, Lt. Colonel Amit Kumar, Vice Principal Sanik School, Nagrota welcomed the Secretary, JKAACL with a bunch of flowers.
He also welcomed Dr. Shahnawaz, Editor cum Cultural Officer, JKAACL and Anil Tickoo, Assistant Cultural Officer, JKAACL.The renowned artists of Jammu region presented a variety of folk forms like Geetru, Jattar, Haran, Bhakah and Dogri Folk dances.
The students were briefed about each folk form. They were told that the Geetru, presented on the occasion by RamDitta & Group, is a dance –song of Dogra –Pahari region of Jammu performed on the occasion of Festivals, feasts and weddings by the rural folk parties.
Boys and Girls both participate in this traditional dance-song form in their traditional costumes. It was followed by Haran by Charan Das Mangotra & Party- a folk-Opera that represents dance and drama in an integrated musical form.
This form of Operetta is performed by the village folk throughout the hilly areas of Duggar during the days preceding Lohri. The term Haran means “Deer” the legendary animal that finds its mention in various folk songs especially Heea Haran.
Dogri Folk dances were presented by Astitva Theatre and Musical Group who enthralled the audience. These dances of Jammu are mostly ritualistic in form with fast and rhythmic steps. Bhaakh was presented by Kamla Devi and the party. Dogra Women through their songs deal with the pain of separation.
Through Bhaakhs, women give vent to their longing for husbands or beloved. Bhaakh also expresses the pain women undergo being away from their maternal home, their roots, their childhood friends, and how they deal with their pain.
Jattar was presented by LoknathJattar of Mohan Lal and Party. Performance of Jattar takes place in which normally a Dhol is used as a music instrument and the dialogues are to be held in between Nath ( Who beat the Dhol ) and CheLa ( who gives the instructions as Devta ) Thali which is put on the top of Garha used as musical instrument followed by the Dhool and the dialogues.
After the conclusion of the event First Lady of the School Mrs Parveenakhtar A Desai in the presence of Mr.Amit Kumar, Vice principal presented a memento to Sh. Bharat Singh, JKAS Secretary, JKAACL for organising such a beautiful event.The Cultural Academy's effort in promoting cultural sensitivities is receiving rounds of appreciation from the art and culture connoisseurs of the region.