Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 23: Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) here today staged a mega musical concert ‘Flute Recital & Folk Songs’ which was union of Kashmiri, Dogri, Gojri and Punjabi folk songs by Rakesh Anand and group-a team of renowned artists.
The concert was held at Sher-e-Kashmiri University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (SKUAST) Chatha Jammu under ‘Horizon Series’.
In view of Corona pandemic induced precautions, the programme was made live on Facebook.
A galaxy of artists and music lovers witnessed the show with a great zeal on virtual mode as well.
The programme started with lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the chief guest, J.P Sharma, Vice Chancellor SKUAST Jammu and Sumati Sharma, special guest of honour and other distinguished notables present there. Thereafter, artists and chief guest were felicitated with presentation of bouquet by Regional Director, ICCR Jammu.
Welcoming the guests, N.K Shil, Regional Director, ICCR and Regional Passport Officer, Jammu informed that ICCR being a cultural wing of MEA primarily seeks to enhance India’s soft diplomatic power worldwide and boost India’s skills of cultural diplomacy as well as to bring the entire nation together through cultural and educational initiatives and exchanges.
Today’s performance began with Dogri Rag ‘Brindabani Sarang’ followed by a Dogri folk Dhun ‘Karaka Maa Bawe Wali Ki’ and song ‘Tarain Turaan Paiyan Kandiyan Paiya Barsata’ by Surinder Manhas and others.
Those who accompanied the flute maestro included Surinder Manhas, folk singer; Rakesh Anand, flute player; Darbari Lal, Dholk player; Chandan Jasu, keyboard player; Neeraj Verma, table player; Rohit and Garu Ram.
Another striking feature of the programme was the versatile anchoring by presenter Rajni.
Speaking on the occasion J.P Sharma, the chief guest complimented the efforts of ICCR in promoting communal amity and brotherhood in the society and preserving the ethnically rich composite culture of J&K UT and harnessing the local talent.
Prominent personalities who attended the function were Rajesh Talwar, Registrar and Dr. Bharat Bhushan, Dy Registrar SKUAST-J and Abhishek Bharti, eminent artist, ICCR scholars and others.
The programme concluded with vote of thanks by Reena Salathia, Cultural Officer, ICCR Jammu.
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