JOIN USArtistes from all over India shine at folk fest
The Rajangana in town has been reflecting the vibrant civilization and ethnicity of the nation as the folk festival continues.
The cultures from across the nation are streaming into a splendid amalgamation during the folk festival.
In accordance with the country’s ideal of integration, the folk artistes from all over India have camped in and around the Sri Krishna Mutt to showcase their effervescent vitality and dynamism during the four-day fiesta.
As many as 20 folklore teams are participating in the festival. The fest began with a Pooja dance (Karnataka). The other performances include Bihu (Assam), Siddigona (Gujarat), Kaalbeliya (Rajasthan), Deepam (Goa), Manipuri (Manipur), Ghatika (Punjab), Raibans (West Bengal), Ghattipurva (Odisha), Yellamma Jogathi (Karnataka), Baredi (Madhya Pradesh), Jodishank (Jharkhand), Mayuri Dance (Uttara Pradesh), Jugalbandi (Rajasthan), Maheela Veeraghase (Karnataka), Bhoothal (Assam), Lambani (Karnataka) and Lavani (Maharashtra). Suggi Kunita and Kangeela from Karnataka are also part of the show.
Artistespeak
The folk artistes, who are to present their cultures on all the four days with various ritualistic traditions, shared their colourful experiences with Deccan Herald. For most of them, the festival is an experience to indulge in the aroma of other cultures, while some others felt that the folk gala is the plinth, where they can display their talent in addition to immersing in the richness of art.
Rashmirekha Sahu from Odisha said she performs Shombalpuri. She said the culture of the land is sustained in the form of folk art and feels immensely proud that she is taking forward the legacy of the pastoral India. She and her 15-member team have performed in many places across India and have sensed the pinch of love of enthusiasts towards folk tradition.
Shaila, the leader of the women’s Veeragase team from Davangere in Karnataka, said that all her team members are above 45 years of age and are home-makers. She added that they wanted to prove that Veeragase is not exclusively for men. They also play Banjara Lambani dance. The team has participated in the SAARC festival that took place in Sonamarg in Jammu some time ago.
Datta Bhoir from Maharastra said that his team members perform Lavani and Koli dance. This is their second visit to the temple town and the team is overwhelmed at the support received from the temple administration.
Meanwhile, Bhubun Bora from Guwahati opined that folk art and culture can sustain only through government patronage. The team performs Bihu and Samanoy.
Chinmay Kumar Behera from Jharkand said that he plays Jodishank and Ramapa which is the folk tradition of Jharkhand and Chattisgarh respectively.
The team led by Lathif from Rajasthan performing Kaalbeliya has toured Germany, Italy, London and some parts of US to display the unique tradition of the soil.