CULTURAL CONFLUENCE breaks barriers at Surajkund Mela

Faridabad/Jalandhar, February 7, 2013: The 27th Surajkund International Crafts Mela celebrates the diversity and vibrancy of India by showcasing its various cultural and other symbolic elements. Be it rain or sun, the entire festive spirit is laced with non-stop and soul-stirring performances, which are the locus of tourist attraction. The traditional and indigenous performances by hundreds of day performers from across the globe make the entire experience a splendid one.

Cultural performances at Chaupal and Natyashala have been integral to the popularity of the Mela. Thousands of visitors gather in large numbers in and around Chaupal and Natyashala everyday to witness scintillating performances. The Mela has always strived to ensure that every year it bridges boundaries, connects cultures and breaks the barriers, which hamper national integration, and a wide variety of these performances attribute significantly in this mission.

Both national and international performers clad in their colourful traditional attires belt out some of the breathtaking performances. The cultural groups of zonal cultural centres are giving crowd pulling showings. The 13 cultural troupes of Karnataka state are showcasing distinctive dance forms like Dollu Kunita, a powerful drum dance accompanied by acrobatic movements, synchronised group formations and the occasional screams. Somana Kunita is a religious, ritualistic dance performed by two or three artistes with elaborate masks.

The folk dance troupes from Tunisia, Namibia and Turkmenistan have been in action on Chaupal. To watch Tajikistan dancers coordinate their hand and body movements to perfection and Kyrgyzstan dancers perform kathak has been a visual treat for one and all. Farida and Nisoh, the members of the Kyrgyzstan troupe, say, “We are trained in Indian classical dancing and can also play tabla and sitar.”

The other enthralling dance forms that bring visitors up close to their heritage and tradition include Mewasi and Siddi Goma from Gujarat, Raaslila from UP, Bhangra from Punjab, Lambadi from Andhra Pradesh, Saila and Gudum Baza from Madhya Pradesh, Lavani from Maharashtra, Gaur Maria and Panthi tribal dance from Chhattisgarh, Kalbelia from Rajasthan,Bihu from Assam, Purlia Chhaw from West Bengal, Ruff and Dhamali from Jammu & Kashmir and Haryanvi dance performances.

The photography competition held at the Mela in the morning saw good participation and it was adjudged by fashion photographer Munish Khanna. The winners of the competitions are Subhash Sharma in professional category and Rajesh Tuteja in the amateur category.

In the evening on Wednesday at Natyashala, the foreign cultural troupes sponsored by Ministry of External Affairs and ICCR put up an exhilarating show and the audience applauded every moment of the performance.

Today, there will be a kite flying competition and in the evening at Natyashala, qawwali by Chand Nizami and group, who will enthrall the visitors with their mesmerising jugalbandi.