Bharat Lok Prav held in Silchar

From Our Correspondent

SILCHAR, February 25: Eastern Zol Cultural Centre (EZCC) held Bharat Lok Prav, a festival to celebrate the Indian folk culture, here at District Library recently.

 Debasish Bhattacharjee, associate professor in the department of Bengali, Assam University, graced the iugural ceremony as the chief guest.

 Various folk music and dances including Theyyam (Kerala), Ghubkudu, Gotipua and Sambalpuri Dance (Odisha), Ghoomar (Harya), Purulia Chhau, Raibenshe and Toto, Kom Gour Lila, Dhol Cholom and Lal Haroaba, Singhi Chham, Lakha and Lepcha, Therukoothu, Bihu Tiwa, Haong, Deodhani, Jhoomar, Bordoisikhla and Bhawaria, Goalparia Dhamail and Bouch (Assam), Yak Dance (Aruchal), Masthyea and Wangala (Meghalaya), Siddi Dhamal ( Gujrat) and some puppet dances like Dang Pappet (West Bengal), Katputli Dance (Rajasthan), Leather Puppet ( Kartaka) and Putla ach of Assam were preformed.

 Speaking on the ocassion, Debasish Bhattacharjee said that this is the first time that the people of Barak Valley have gotten a chance to see such event. It is a great step that has been taken by the Government of India to bring the rich folk cultures in a platform. There are six groups which are doing good work in this field with the help of central government and NZCC has earned lot of praises for its endevour, he added.

 He pointed out tive culture has been neglected, especially folk culture, owing to the colonial influence and the desire for people to project themselves as "progressive". He added to say that unless the community understands the significance of “our heritage, it is not possible for government-sponsored academies to revive the dying folk culture.

He expressed his resentment over the “lackadaisical” attitude of the government towards the folk culture of Barak Valley.  Among the other distinguished present at the programme included Hari Shankar, Rahul Das Gupta and a few others who also spoke on the occasion and shared their thoughts and perspectives during the programme.