Artistes from various States in the country presented their traditional dances and culture at Jaganmohan Palace auditorium in city yesterday.

The two-day cultural programme has been organised by Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (National Museum of Mankind), Southern Regional Centre on Irwin road in city as part of the ongoing Anantha Yatre-4, a demonstration of creative craft forms and performing art presentations by tribal artistes.

The event was inaugurated by Rajyotsava awardee photographer S.M. Jambukeshwar.

On the first day yesterday, artistes from Karnataka, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Tripura and other places presented their traditional dances.

Artistes from Assam presented Bhortal Dance, which is a part of the classical dance called Sattriya and is mainly performed by male dancers but nowadays female dancers also participate in this dance. Performers in this dance use Bhortal (a kind of cymbal) in their hands and dance to the rhythms of Nagara (a leather instrument).

Tripura artistes presented Hojagiri dance which is a popular festive and ceremonial dance performed during Lakshmi Puja by unmarried girls to appease the goddess. The dance is performed for the whole night in groups in a specific place of the village where puja is celebrated. The performers showcase the art of balance and soothing gesture of the body by freely holding a bamboo torch in their hands.

Keelu Gurram, a folk dance was performed by artistes from Andhra which depicts the horse dance with rhythmic steps.

Artistes from Assam performed Bihu, a folk dance related to the festival of Bihu (Spring Festival) which is performed by both young men and women, and is characterized by brisk dance steps and rapid hand movement.

A troupe from Udupi performed ‘Jatayu Moksha’ in the form of Yakshagana on the occasion.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore