Scintillating performances at Virasat

Tribune News Service

Dehradun,December 15

Artistes continue to perform at the REACH’s (Rural Entrepreneurship for Art & Cultural Heritage) fortnight-long festival titled Virasat here today. Today morning saw the youth of the city congregating at the venue to present their talent in music and dance. Several students performed classical dance and Hindustani classical vocal from various schools of the city. Where Keshvi, Deeya, Surbhi and Deeya performed beautifully choreographed Bharatnatyam,the Hindustani vocals in different ragas like Vihag and Malkauns were beautifully rendered by Srishti ,Ankur, Nandini, Stuti and Muskaan. Schools like St.Thomas, Ann Mary, KV ONGC, Brightlands, St.Josephs and Vantage Hall participated with enthusiasm.

The crisp evening started with award winning folk theatre from Uttarkashi by Jai Prakash Rana and group. This 16-member group presented the Lok katha ‘Bajubhand’ in a tradition Phadi style accompanied resonatingly by traditional dhol. This dance form is usually used to convey messages.This troupe has performed in various places like Delhi,Srinagar,Tehri etc. Lavani is a combination of traditional songs and dance along with the rustic beats of dholki [Naal]of powerful rhythm and energetic body movements. It is a vital part of Marathi folk theatre. Its quick tempo is full of invigorating steps and lustful energy.

Sangeet Natak Academy Award winner Lavani by Reshama and Varsha Patitekar (Musale) and group were ably accompanied by Pandurang Anna Ghotkar, the famous dholki (naal) player. They were accompanied by sambhal and harmonium instruments.

Last in today’s performance was of Sufi music by Sultana and Jyoti Nooran from Jalandhar. The talented sisters belong to the family of traditional singers taking the leaf out of their grandmother’s book. They started singing Sufi kalams right from their tender age trained by their father. They achieved fame and success a few years back with MTV Coke Studio “Allah Hoo” and recently with Pataka Guddi from ‘’Highway’’ movie under the maestro A.R.Rehman.