Hamirpur women perform ‘Jhamkara’ folk dance at Sujanpur Holi festival

At the national-level Holi Festival at Sujanpur, daytime activities are showcasing the vibrant folk culture of the district in a splendid fashion. Over 500 women performed the ‘Jhamkra folk dance’ at the festival ground at Sujnapur on Tuesday. The Holi Festival Organising Committee has created a dedicated stage amid the exhibition stalls, where various cultural activities are held on a daily basis.

Cultural activities coordinator and District Language Officer Santosh Kumar Patial provided opportunities on the first day to groups performing devotional songs and couplets using traditional instruments like the ‘Ektara, Khartal and Dafli and Dauru. This ancient devotional singing tradition from the lower regions of the state, including Hamirpur, Bilaspur and Mandi districts, was on the brink of extinction. However, witnessing this style on the stage of Holi deeply impressed the audience. A painting competition was also held at the exhibition arena.

The troupe of the Kusum Kala Manch won the folk dance competition, Degree College, Sujanpur, bagged the second position while the Shubham Kala Manch claimed the third spot. Local MLA Capt Ranjit Singh gave away prizes to the winning troupes. The organising committee rewarded the troupes with Rs 11,000 (winner), Rs 5,100 (runners up) and Rs 3100 (third position). Alongside the competition, hundreds of women from the district participated in a collective folk dance, Jhankara, with great enthusiasm.