Folk music, dances add lustre to Teej celebrations in city

SD Sharma

Chandigarh, July 22

Punjab Kala Bhawan reverberated with melodious folk music and dazzling dances as the annual Teej celebrations, organised by the Punjab Arts council (PAC). The play brought alive the pastoral culture of Punjab.

The celebrations attained their zenith with the spirited participation of most acclaimed Sufi singers Dolly Guleria, Gurmeet Bawa, Lachi Bawa and Glory Bawa besides Satinder Satti, chairperson of the PAC. Adding to the glamour quotient, Pollywood actors Jaspreet Cheema, Diljot Kaur and Iyana Dhillon rejuvenated the function with their graceful presence. All artistes joined lead singers on the stage before the award ceremony conducted by Dr Nirmal Jaura.

Teaming up with Lachi and Glory, Gurmeet Bawa spelt magic as she doled out her hit numbers like Jugni, “Mitti da Bawa” and “Kahnu Jammian”. Earlier, dancers of the Virasat-e-Punjab troupe, led by Hardeep Singh, presented “ludi” dance and a “dhola”. The highlight of the programme was the folk orchestra by students of RR Bawa Girls’ College, Batala, with Manjinder Kaur playing three instruments-”been”, flute and dhol. Winners of painting and costume competitions were given prizes. Speaking on the occasion, PAC chairperson Satinder Satti disclosed that similar functions also being held in other Punjab districts and aimed at creating awareness, reviving the pristine pastoral culture and propagate it among the youth in Punjab.

A cocktail of Dogri drama, poetry & ghazal

A scant but receptive audience relished a Dogri drama, poetry and ghazal singing besides a painting exhibition in a specially designed programme, “Cultural Cocktail-Youth for Art”, organised by the KVM Trust, Jammu, in association with the Dogri Sabha. The programme strived to promote and popularise literature amaong people.

The event brought together Sahitya Akademi awardee Lalit Magotra, theatre director Aarushi Thakur Rana, renowned ghazal singer Jatinder Singh and young poet Ayushman Jamwal on a common platform.

Aarushi Thakur Rana staged her new play, “The Uncrowned Poet”, which was a dramatic portrayal of events from the life of Sahitya Akademi Award srecipient Dogri poet Group Captain Randhir Jamwal, creatively known as Kunwar Viyogi. Prof Lalit Mangotra and poet Ayushman Jamwal interacted on the subject, “Kavita Sang Yaar Beli.

Audience relished musical soiree as renowned Dogri singer Jatindera Singh Jamwal brought alive the literary intent of the ghazals and sonnets penned beautifully by Kunwar Viyogi.

The audience applauded Jintendra Singh for mellifluous renditions of ghazals like “Dil mera tote tote hoyi gya” and “Rasam rivaz nibhane pe..’’, “Je oye sachhi karein”, “Tu meri Aatma”.

Jatinder Sharma, IFS, educationist Madhu Bahl and Dr NS Manhas, Programme Head, Doordarshan, presided over the programme.