A Barbadian audience was recently treated to some of the finest folk dancing from the Punjab region of India, a gift from that country’s government.
Fifteen folk dancers and musicians from the Naksh Virsa Punjab da Bangra and Gidda Music And Dance Group were here for the performance at the Errol Barrow Centre For Creative Imagination, Cave Hill, St Michael,Director of the centre, Dr Gladstone Yearwood, welcomed the opportunity to showcase artistic expression from another country.
Honorary consul for India, Dr Mohini Harris, headed the large audience comprising members of the local Hindu community as well as others from Barbados’ artistic circles, who responded to the performances with loud applause as commere Padma Mythili Nanduri described dance after dance.
It was an explosion of colour and frenetic energy on stage and Nanduri explained that the dances showcased were usually done to celebrate the Punjab harvest season.
The audience marvelled at the colour of the costumes and the rhythm and dexterity of the dancers in their performance of the Giddha and Bhangra dances, the latter folk dance done by Punjabi farmers in the 11th century to celebrate the coming of the harvest season.
Guarav Sharma was effortlessly hoisted in the air on the arm of another dancer, Nirmal Singh, performing a breathtaking balancing act in motion.
The two-hour show also featured the music of the dhol drums. (GC)
