Ranchi, March 21: Folk beats and rhythms are ready to pulsate in tribal hubs. In a welcome bid to promote folk art beyond the state capital, the art and culture department has decided to host a medley of dance and cultural programmes in Daltonganj and Chatra.

As part of a festival titled Rangotsava, the department will organise a tribal folk dance-cum-cultural programme for the first time in Daltonganj on March 26 and in Chatra on March 23 and 24.

Apart from the state, the department has invited folk dance troupes comprising 10 members each from Orissa, Bengal and Bihar for performances in Daltonganj. The troupe from Orissa will present the famous Sambalpuri dance, while the artistes of Bengal will showcase Purulia Chhau. Meanwhile, the state’s dancers will perform Manbhum Chhau, whereas those from Bihar will capture the festive mood with a Brij ki Holi performance.

In Chatra, on the other hand, a 10-member troupe from the district, comprising Oraon, Santhal and Kharia members, will perform paika and jhumar dances.

Assistant director, art and culture, H.P. Sinha, said the department so far had been concentrating mainly in Ranchi by organising a series of workshops and tribal folk dance programmes at the Jharkhand Kala Mandir Bhavan. “But now, we are focusing on other districts too,” he added.

“Both Daltonganj and Chatra districts are considered to be centres of tribal dance and folk music, usually performed during marriages and important festivals. So, we decided to promote their traditional art forms in public so that they get recognition among the masses,” Sinha said.

The department is also bringing in a slight makeover for folk artistes to match up with their counterparts from across the country in elegance.

“We have provided new costumes and musical instruments to these folk artists for the forthcoming cultural fest, as they continue to perform wearing old costumes. Apart from focusing on performances, tribal artistes should also look presentable,” Sinha said.

“Besides, their costumes are of a poor quality compared to folk artistes of other states. So, we are trying our best to help them,” the assistant director explained.

The department, Sinha added, would rope in renowned Patna-based classical and folk dance master Balram Lal — who had recently taught 42 Dumkach and Mardani Jhumur dancers — to choreograph Jharkhand’s tribal dances and fine-tune dancers for international performances. “Our first priority is to bring our folk dances to the forefront, as they are fading due to lack of exposure. Secondly, we will get designers to design fresh costumes for dancers. We will follow it up by organising cultural shows at the national as well as international levels,” he said.

The department’s efforts would help improve the financial status of tribal artistes, Sinha added.