Garo dance performed at International Dance Day in London

SHILLONG, APRIL 29: Garo dance of Meghalaya and Cheraw dance of Mizoram have made their debut on British soil and have enthralled the diverse audiences representing a variety of community organisations. The spellbinding dances have provided the taste of grandeur at the “Dance and Development” event marking International Dance Day in London, during which the North East dances were presented by Dr Piyali Basu, Lumbini Bafna, Juhi Dhanasekharan, Prasanthi Aripirala and Priyadarshini Niranjan.

Speaking on the occasion, Mayura Patel- Chair of Dynamic Women’s Foundation emphasised on the importance of promoting tribal arts in the UK and applauded the efforts of organiser Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence and Ragasudha Vinjamuri in researching and bringing lesser known dances to the UK audiences.

Tushar Joge has spoken about the tribal empowerment in the state of Maharashtra, the state with second largest tribal population in India after Madhya Pradesh. Tribal Heroes and Heroines such as Mary Kom and Baichung Bhutia from North East, Birendra Lakra, Dilip Tirkey, Teejan Bai, Deepika Kumari, Kamala Mingal Siddi and OP Jaisha from other areas who made India proud. Vote of Thanks was given by Sushil Rapatwar, compering done by Chinmayi clad in vibrant Lambadi tribal outfit of Telangana State.

“Authentic music and original tribal outfits have been procured with the help of local community from North East, providing the true taste of this lesser explored area in Britain. We intend to do more research and present few more tribal dances in course of time. There is a sense of gratification when we spread awareness about lesser known cultural aspects, especially in this part of the world” says Ragasudha.

By Our Reporter