Savouring cultural flavour in style
SD Sharma
Chandigarh, June 1
Over 100 amateur and professional singers and dancers from diverse social segments and age groups, under the aegis of New Theatre folklore ensemble, brought alive the magnificence and opulence of atypical rich rustic Punjabi folk dancing culture in a specially designed choreographic spectacle titled ‘Bhangra Utsav-2017’ at Tagore Theatre today.
5Conceived and directed by internationally known folk danseur Pritpal Singh Sodhi, affectionately called Peter in India and Canada where he groomed aspirants as accomplished dancers, the event was supported by Free Fragrance Tuition, Discover Ability, Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Academy and Swaraj Engines Limited.
The programme commenced with a yoga demonstration by special children. Dressed in traditional attire, they later on presented bhangra. Such was the appeal that special guests of honour and acclaimed artistes Satinder Satti, Pammi Bai, Peter Sodhi and others joined them to their delight. Later, the seven-member Raunaq band doled out captivating folk numbers ranging from an ode to parents by Sarvan to the modern folklores.
Giddha and ceremonial ‘Jaago’ by young and senior citizens and harvest dance by dance enthusiasts, including software engineers, doctors, designers and others, kept the packed hall reverberated with dance and the rhythmic spell. The highlight of the programme remained a special performance by veteran folk dancers, including Master Harbhajan, Channi Takulia, Avtar Rana, Peter Sodhi, Gill Surjit, Pammi Bai, Jasbir Pannu and others. Chief guest Mohali MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu honoured the artists while Satinder Satti, chairperson, Punjab Arts Council, Pammi Bai, Kamal Arora, chairman, CSNA, and actor director Dr Surinder Sharma graced the function.
The longing for true love
- Celebrating the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) platinum jubilee, its Chandigarh chapter in collaboration with Daya Drishti Rangmanch, the Wanderers and Haryana Cultural Affairs, staged a play ‘Love-Ye Ishq nahin asaan’ in Hindustani at Tagore Theatre.
- Directed and adapted by KNS Sekhon from American playwright Murray Schisgal’s comedy play ‘Luv’, the play brought into focus the contrasting sensibilities as also absurdities of human relationships in a love triangle. The story revolves around three people in a state of different human conditions of Vijay, a barely functional human (a loser in life), and Vikram, a contemptuous but successful property businessman, besides his pretty sober wife Meenakshi longing for true love.
- All three are so frustrated in love and in their lives that at one point or the other they all try to kill themselves.
- The stage set was the feature of the play, which however needs further editing. Gaurav Sharma Rinku Jain and Sudamani Kapoor essayed their characters with stray brilliance.
