NE Tribal Folk Dance programme concludes at MG Marg

GANGTOK, 21 Jan: The three-day North Eastern Region Tribal Folk Dance programme, Purvottari, concluded today at MG Marg.
The programme was organized by the Culture and Heritage Department, Government of Sikkim in association with the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal, an autonomous body of the Government of India under Ministry of Culture.
Purvottari is an effort to explore the potential of heritage and cultural tourism in the Northeastern region. On the closing day today, around 140 artists among whom 40 were from Sikkim presented cultural performances.
Manipuri artists presented Rash Krishna Bhaklu dance of the Vaishnav community, Pang-Cholam, a part of the Sankirtana music by the drummers in spotless white costume and Thanga which is based on Manipuri martial arts.
The Nagas performed Chiiteli dance of the Chaka Lam community, depicting the harvesting done in fields by way of delicate movements. Assamese presented the famous Bihu and Gowalpar while dancers from Mizoram presented Sulam Kai Salakiya dance.
Artists from Meghalaya entertained the public through Rigalag dance, Tripura presented Hoja Giri, a ceremonial dance with candles [usually performed by unmarried girls in Tripura propitiating Goddess Laxmi]. Host state, Sikkim performed Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali dances. The most entertaining, being Serathi and Chutke dance.
‘It is felt that the youth today need to be acquainted with their culture and these cultural programmes aim at leaving at least some impression on young minds about the rich culture & tradition, costumes of the Northeast,’ said Jagadish Sharma, Special Officer on Duty of the Culture and Heritage department.
Senior Officer of the Sangrahalaya, Dr. R M Nayyal and Jagdish Sharma worked in coordination to conduct the programme successfully.
It is to be mentioned here, the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal seeks to promote and spread awareness on culture among the masses, document the different cultural aspects of different regions in the country and to help in preserving and protecting vanishing cultural legacies.