Source : The Pioneer
The 10th edition of Bal Sangam, National School of Drama’s signature festival of folk and traditional performances culminated yesterday with great pomp and show at the NSD campus. The colourful carnival involving young artistes from India and Bangladesh captured children’s folk performances and theatre across both the countries at its very best.
Spread over 5 days, the festival concluded with a rousing performance Rang Se Rang, with concept and choreography by Suresh Shetty and Moon Moon Singh. The evening also saw the presentation ‘Coming together of Colours’, organised by Dr Suwarn Rawat, Ajit Choudhary, Manish Saini and Siddharth Khanna, in which the myriad colours from different parts of India and Bangladesh was presented.
Huyen Lalong Manipur Thang-Ta Cultural Association from Irilbung, Manipur enthralled the audiences with their performance, Tangkhul Nurabi. Directed by Mutum Ibomcha Singh, Tangkhul Nurabi is based on the original form of Loutarol and has been dramatised by replacing the ritualistic section with songs and different beats.
Speaking at the valedictory ceremony, actor Manoj Joshi said, “I am happy to be here at the hallowed campus of NSD, which has produced so many outstanding talent in every sphere of performing arts. It was great to see the child artistes presenting India in its cultural diversity in their dance and music performances. India is a country known for unity in diversity and it was beautifully choreographed in their presentation.”
ML Srivastava, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India said, “NSD and TIE have done an outstanding job in the way they have organised the 10th Bal Sangam. We are very happy to see the enthusiastic participation of children from India and Bangladesh.”
Professor Waman Kendre, Director, National School of Drama said, “We are planning to open four new centres of TIE across the country and will also start a special two-year course for children. Over 400 child artistes participated in the event.”
The event brought together children from India and Bangladesh who performed folk and traditional dances representing a varied cultural mosaic. The festival included plays by child artistes as well as art and craft workshops. The highlights being Baul Children from West Bengal, Yakshagana from Karnataka, Thang-Ta from Manipur, Ankiya Nat form Assam, Nautanki form Uttar Pradesh, Chhau from West Bengal, folk dances from Punjab, Kalari From Kerala, and Mizoram.
In addition, the festival also had a host of performances like logman, dhol players, jugaad band performers, acrobats, behrupiyas, magicians, kacchi-ghodi performers and kathputli exponents, who delighted the visiting crowds and children greatly.
