Fusion of Mexican-Punjabi folklore at Sixth Amritsar Int’l Folk Festival

Neha Saini

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 11

Sharing a common thread of culture and rich folk heritage, popular Mexican group of folk artistes “Espirtu Maxicano” today marked the Sixth Amritsar International Folk Festival at Khalsa University here today. A fusion of Mexican and Punjabi folklore music and dance set the stage for a colourful evening.

The festival, organised by the varsity in collaboration with the Punjab Cultural Promotion Council (PCPC), exhibited the blending of Mexican and Punjabi folk dance and music as artistes from Latin country and Punjab came together on the stage to give gripping performances.

Wearing their traditional, colourful dresses, the Mexicans took to the stage with full enthusiasm and won hearts with their foot-tapping dances and melodious singing.

Apart from music, theatrical presentation by Espirtu touched the nerves as they gave folk presentations of their native country through meticulously choreographed orchestration.

“We have dances to celebrate everyday life, the early morning dance, one for the festivals and crop season. That’s why I believe that we share cultural sensibilities with this part of the world,” said Arturo Javier Salazar Alvarez, the manager of the group.

Describing their maiden India experience as overwhelming, Alvarez said, “It’s better than what we imagined. We plan to explore every possible place of interest here.”

The dance group primarily focuses on social and cultural exchange back in Mexico as well. “We comprise folk dance teachers and instructors, who got together for the purpose of promoting cultural dance forms. Our folk dances or the popular Mariachi music transcend our customs and practices into musical presentations,” he said.

The popular forms of folk dances, including “El Huizache”, “El Jarabe Tapatio”, one of the most popular in world and others were also staged during the presentation.

Later, artistes were felicitated by Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, chief guest of the event, and Vice-Chancellor, Dr SS Chahal. The PCPC head, Dr Davinder Singh Chhina, said it was the sixth festival in the series. He said their council promotes international cooperation through exchange of artistes.