Zonal Cultural Centre’s silver jubilee celebration ‘Maatii Ke Rang’ begins at MG Marg

ANUSHA GURUNG
GANGTOK, 10 June: The silver jubilee celebration, “Maatii ki Rang”, of the Zonal Cultural Centre kicked off on Saturday amidst a huge gathering at MG Marg in here. Secretary, Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department, Nalini G Pradhan formally inaugurated the three-day programme. The programme is being organized by the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Ministry of Culture, Government of India in collaboration with the Cultural Affairs and Heritage department of Sikkim.
“The three-day programme is a platform for cultural exchange. It’s meant not only to entertain tourists and locals but also to preserve and showcase the rich culture of the State”, said Secretary Mrs Pradhan.
The programme began with the traditional Maruni dance of the Nepali community which was appreciated by the crowds. “Even if it rains heavily, I and my family will watch the show till the end”, expressed Satyajit, a tourist who had come from Kolkata with his family. The Maruni dance was enjoyed by many elderly locals who were present as well and brought back memorable moments of the years gone by for them as expressed by one such senior citizen.
As the evening carried on, even the drizzle that followed did not deter tourists or locals as they swayed to the beats of Bihu, an Assamese dance.
 “I regard my trip to Sikkim as wonderful and memorable where I am being able to witness such rich cultural display in such romantic weather” said Aakriti, who is on her honeymoon trip here. Later in the evening, cultural troupes from Gujarat, Orissa, Jharkhand and many other places presented their rich culture on stage.
It may be recalled here that a month long programme ‘Glimpses of the Sikkimese culture’ was earlier kicked off on 01 June and concluded recently.
Earlier, the Secretary welcomed the guests by offering khadas and lighting the ceremonial lamp.