Child artistes perform a Rajasthani folk dance at Guru Nanak Higher Secondary School. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Aug. 8: City folk art lovers were taken to the sand dunes of Rajasthan and the mood was upbeat as artistes attired in colourful Rajasthani costumes balancing attractive multicoloured pitchers on their heads danced against the backdrop of folk songs.

One of the most attractive folk dances, Bhawai, wherein the dancers were seen balancing 10 colourful pitchers on their heads stole the show and received thunderous applause from onlookers.

The folk dancers presented 15 different types of dances of Rajasthan thereby showing the vivid culture of the state. Each dance was unique in the sense that artistes showcased the items keeping in tune with the different types of festivals be it Holi, Diwali, Ganguar and the harvesting season.

Various kinds of folk dances of Rajasthan mainly, Kalbelia, popularly known as snake dance, which was performed in rapid movement.

This was followed by Braj Ki Holi, wherein the artistes displayed the mischievous activities of Lord Krishna and Radha and later they showed the dance with gopis, Phulo Ki Holi.

One of the major attractions was that 1 quintal of marigold flowers were used to play this peculiar type of Holi. The flowers were especially brought from Calcutta.

Titled as Apano Surilo, Rang Rangilo Rajasthan, the ceremony was held at Gurunanak School auditorium today. It was organised by Agarwal Sabha, Women’s Wing.

Shakuntla Pawar, folk dance expert from Udaipur — also a recipient of the President’s Award — had trained around 70 city girls for 15 days since July 25 with the aim to “revive traditional dances”. On the last day today, the trainees got the platform to perform before a 500-odd audience.

Keeping the interest of the audience in mind, the folk dancers presented another item, which is usually performed by the residents of Bilwara village over the night holding two long sticks during Holi.