Punjabi folk spirit at Doha
Donald Banerjee

Punjab folk artistes are just back after participating in the Doha Cultural Festival

PUNJAB folk artistes took Doha by storm as they wielded the kirpan with an uncanny sense of anticipation and performed intricate body movements, giving a display of the Sikh martial art form of gatka.

A sense of awe was visible on the faces of the audience as the performers displayed deft footwork to the beat of the drum. They whirled round and round bending and straightening their bodies. And then, a swipe of the sword, and an orange placed on the head of one of the performers was sliced in half. This was gatka in the best form. And watching this Sikh martial art form was a mesmerised audience at the Museum Garden in Doha. The occasion was the recent Doha Cultural Festival, which showcased the folklore of countries from all over the world.

The folklore and cultural heritage of Punjab was presented by the Punjab Cultural Promotion Council (PCPC), the only organisation in India to be invited by the Doha festival organisers.

As the Punjab entourage kicked off the show with Malvayi giddha, the dancers left the audience asking for more. Dance forms like the jhoomer, bhangra, giddha, vanjara and jindua brought out the rhythm and intricate body movements which were unknown to many. So mesmerised were the Doha residents that Gulf Times brought out special supplements, devoting almost a full page to the Punjab flavour.

The colourful lungis, kurta and turbans of the male dancers and the lehengas, veils, jackets and cholis of the women stood out, adding to the riot of colour as folk artistes from different countries tried to put their best foot forward.

The Doha participation came after the PCPC ensemble performed at the Multicultural Festival held at Canberra (Australia) from February 5 to 18.

"It was a display of Punjab folklore to the world abroad," said Davinder Singh Chhina, founder of the PCPC, who has been regularly taking folk artistes abroad.

Chhina said the air water shows, the desert heritage show of camels, jockeys and falconers, performances by award-winning actress Thelma H:ouston and scintillating shows by Lebanese, Mexican, Belgian and Spanish troupes left a lasting impression on the Punjab troupe.

The PCPC has taken folk artistes to more than 15 countries where they have participated in 40 international festivals. Among the counties the troupe has visited are Australia, South Korea, Spain, Poland, Denmark, Greece, Ukraine and Bulgaria. "This summer a Punjab troupe will be touring Europe," said Chhina.

The troupe from Punjab included Kulwinder Kaur, Pooja, Parminder Singh Nona, Charanjit Singh Channy, Avtar Singh Gatka, Amar Nath, Mandip Singh, Gur Charanjit Singh Sidhu, Lakhbir Singh, Gurjit Singh, Avninder Singh, Parminder Singh and Raj Pal Singh.