Fusion of Columbian, Punjabi dance forms displayed at int’l folk fest

Tribune News service

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Amritsar, November 28

“Columbians, just like Punjabis, love to dance and celebrate life. We have a vibrant mix of culture. Music forms the essence of our life,” said Carmen Melendez, an artiste and director of the Palma African Columbian, a folk group that performed during the international folk festival at Khalsa College here on Wednesday.

Visiting the city for 6th edition of Khalsa International Folk Festival, the group of 11 artistes performed traditional Columbian folk dances, including Salsa and Cumbia, and created a colourful fusion of folk dance forms with Punjabi bhangra and giddha performers.

The festival organised by the Khalsa College in collaboration with the Punjab Cultural Promotion Council (PCPC) exhibited the rare dance form and music by the Palma African Columbian artistes.

Clad in their traditional and colourful dresses, the artistes took to the stage with full enthusiasm and won the heart with the foot-tapping dances and melodious singing.

“It was so exciting to perform as we have heard a lot about bhangra. It is quite energetic,” said Yoni Alberta, a folk artiste.

Apart from music, the theatrical presentation by the Colombian artistes also touched the nerves as they gave folk presentations of their traditions.

Khalsa students also exhibited the Sikh martial art gatka, bhangra and Giddha during the festival. It is dedicated to 126th year of inception of Khalsa College, Amritsar, and to the brave soldiers of Punjab.

Honorary secretary, Khalsa College Governing Council, Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said the festival was an opportunity for the students of two countries to build international cooperation and friendship.

He said the world was becoming a one village and this was possible through the cultural exchanges and integration of diversities.