A Demonstration of Diversity
Ethnic Cultural Festival at Shilpakala Academy
The recent Ethnic Cultural Festival featured traditional dances and songs by a number of indigenous artistes at National Music and Dance Centre auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on June 26. Khudra Nri Goshthi Cell [for ethnic groups] of BSA arranged the festival.
The festival was a part of BSA’s initiative to facilitate the practice of languages and cultural traditions of ethnic groups. The programme was also an opportunity for the ethnic groups as well as Bengalis to celebrate the opulent cultural diversity of the country.
Artistes from the Garo community presented “Nabanner Nritya” (dance celebrating harvest) while singers from Mushhor, Mahato, Malo and Kol communities performed songs of the Karam festival.
As Khiang and Pangkhoa artistes rendered Adhunik songs, it became evident that contemporary music trends have made an impact on some of the ethnic groups as well. Inspirational songs by artistes of the Munda community followed.
With mridanga and kartal, five Manipuri artistes staged a spirited Mridanga dance. Their awe-inspiring flexibility and jubilant faces earned rounds of applause from the audience. A dance performance by Chakma artistes followed. Mahale performers presented the Jhum dance, while artistes from the Byom community performed Bamboo dance at the festival.
To a pahadia dhun on flute, Tripura artistes performed an immaculate dance. The balancing act involved placing bottles with lit candles on heads and dancing.
Pahadia and Oraon performers presented wedding dances, while Hajong and Tonchonga artistes rendered their traditional songs. Artistes of Santal and Marma communities danced to their respective traditional songs, while artistes of Rakhain community presented an umbrella dance at the festival.
-With The Daily Star input
