JKAACL Kathua organises Music and Dance programme at Samba Fort
Samba 15-4-2023: To celebrate the auspicious Baisakhi, Sub Office of J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Kathua organized a colorful Music and Dance programme at the majestic Samba Fort here today. The programme was organised in collaboration with the Civil Society of Samba. Sh. Benam Tosh, JKPS, Senior Superintendent of Police, Samba was the chief guest on the occasion whereas Pawan Kohli, President of Municipal Corporation, Samba was the guest of honor. Speaking on the occasion, Benam Tosh, JKPS, Senior Superintendent of Police, Samba said that this kind of programme always lets people know about the roots. He congratulated JKAACL for organizing such a beautiful event in district Kathua. While appreciating the mesmerizing programme by the artists, he said that every artist has made him spellbound with their magical performance.
The programme was started with the power-packed performance of the Song ‘Ass Dogre Aan, Aakhne Aan Shaane Kaane’ by Raman Salathia and the group who created a crescendo through their unique style of chorus singing. This was followed by the Punjabi Dance performance by Harman Cultural Group, Chingga by Prem Nath, and party and Dogri Folk Songs by Sachin Kattal and Party who added some flavors of culture but the treat of the day was ‘Hern’ which was presented with the scintillating performance of C.D. Magotra and party in which a group of performers with Hern (Deer) as its central character supported by a group of folk dancers in traditional attire, local drum players and few prominent characters like ‘Raja’, ‘Wazir’, ‘Sadhu’, and a caretaker of Hern move in a carnival and this mobile traditional theatre moves from house to house covering the entire village. Singing and dancing, this group of performers reflects upon the socio, economic and political state of the area through small satirical acts. The Raja represents the Ruler; the Wazir represents the bureaucracy, and the co-dancers, the public and there begins the caricature of the rule, the wisdom behind and the sufferings of the common man. Two actors wearing a mask of the deer, through their body language, create interesting rhythmic moves. The traditional play moves at the will of the movement of ‘Hern’. The change of the postures of the Hern gives new twists to the story line and all performers judiciously follow that. C D Magotra himself played as King and made interesting comments on the contemporary socio-economic and political status of the State which was highly applauded and appreciated by the audiences.
Earlier speaking on the occasion, SOCA Kathua shared that this is our wonderful initiative to promote the diverse culture of the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory. Sh Bharat Singh, JKAS Secretary of JKAACL is taking a proactive approach to ensure that the culture is shared and celebrated throughout the region.Organizing cultural events in different districts is a great way to engage the local community and showcase the unique traditions and practices of each area. It can also promote tourism and encourage people to explore and learn more about the region’s history and heritage. I hope that these events will be successful and inspire more people to appreciate and preserve the cultural richness of the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
The programme was ably conducted by Sat Pal Singh.
