JAMMU, June 16 : Thirteen member J&K Cultural Troupe headed by Balwant Thakur, Regional Director, Indian Council for Cultural relations, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, returned here today after putting up successful performances in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
Sponsored by Indian Council for Cultural Relations, the performances of the J&K Cultural troupe were held in connection with the India-Central Asia dialogue held in Bishkek which was attended by the top scholars and political analysts of the world.
The opening show of the group was held at Centek, the Cultural Centre of Bishkek. This International cultural show was attended by a galaxy of top dignitaries including E. Ahmed, Union Minister of State, External Affairs, Govt. of India, Roza Otunbaeva, Former President of Kyrgyzstan, and the Ambassadors of many countries including Indian Ambassador in Kyrgyzstan, Phunchok Stobdan.
The performance by J&K artists was followed by an instrumental fusion by the traditional performers of host country Kyrgyzstan. Amidst thunder applauses the programme started with a brief introduction about Indian culture by Balwant Thakur with particular emphasis on the culture of Jammu and Kashmir.
The opening item presented in the shape of a fusion of Santoor and Flute by Ravi Sharma and Rakesh Anand accompanied by Rakesh Kona mesmerized the audience. This was followed by Kashmiri and Dogri singing by Zulekha Bano and Pallvi Rajput. The dances of J&K received the standing ovation for the diverse patterns of rhythms, movements, costumes and colorful imagery.
Professionally designed and presented by Balwant Thakur, these dances kept the audience spellbound and won appreciation of all. Finding lot of commonalities in the performing styles, particularly in musical traditions of J&K, the Kyrgyzs audience reciprocated with repeated thunder of applauses. The young dancers who excelled in their performances included Romilla Besnet, Shilpa Chandan, Divya Jamwal, Aarti Verma, Monika Sharma, Rupali Rai and Bindiya.
The group also visited the beautiful City of Almaty in Kazakhstan while coming from India to Kyrgyzstan.
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