Jammu: Natrang Jammu in connection with the celebrations of the International Day of Dance organised an event signifying the role of dance as an art form in a multi-cultural region like Jammu & Kashmir.
While glorifying the power of dance, the Director Natrang Jammu Balwant Thakur who took the dances of Jammu & Kashmir to global audiences dwelt in details about the significant role local dances have played in integrating this region. Thakur said that Jammu & Kashmir boasts of a remarkable diversity in its languages and cultural expressions, adding therein that the variegated variety of different colors, rhythms, costumes, design patterns of Jammu & Kashmir are unique in the world but it was only through the dances of Jammu & Kashmir we have been demonstrating the amazing cultural diversity to the world.
On the occasion to mark the world dance day celebrations, a presentation of the dances of Jammu & Kashmir entitled ‘Celebrating Diversity’ was also showcased which Natrang has been presenting world over. Fact remains that outside world in not aware about this unique feature of Jammu & Kashmir and it was only through this special presentation of Natrang that world was exposed to this rarest fact. Be it ‘Asia Pacific Festival’ Germany, ‘Days of India’ in Russia, ‘Diwali Festival’ at Trafalgar Square in London, ‘Kashmir Festival’ in Kyrgyzstan, ‘J&K Festival’ in Dubai, ‘Festival of India’ in South Africa or G20 Celebrations in Kashmir, Natrang in a very artistic and innovative manner designed and presented the electrifying vibrancy of unique cultural diversity of Jammu & Kashmir. Fact remains that on no occasion all diverse cultures ‘Kashmiri’, ‘Dogri’, Gojri’, ‘Pahari’, and ‘Bhadarwahi’ of Jammu & Kashmir have got this kind of recognition. Never before the initiative of Natrang, the different ethnic groups got the opportunity to come to-gather on one stage and celebrate its unparallel diversity. Balwant Thakur firmly believes that for the integration of different cultural regions of Jammu & Kashmir, the dances have played a cementing role in bringing them together, appreciating each other’s culture and unique artistic significances.
Speaking about the purpose of World Dance Day Celebrations Balwant Thakur said that the core objective of the celebrations of this day is to raise public awareness of dance as an art form. Dance is a means of cultural expression and an important educational tool. Despite being an important part of human life, it lacks official recognition and patronage worldwide. This is also an occasion, a wakeup call for the governments, politicians and the members of the civil society to realise the value of this art form which has been highly instrumental in shaping societies since ages. “This world day is celebrated since 1982 when the dance committee of International Theatre Institute which works under the aegis of UNESCO, recognised this day to celebrate dance as an art form and promote its significance worldwide” Balwant Thakur concluded.
