We dance for laughter

We dance for tears

We dance for madness

We dance for fears

We dance for hopes

We dance for screams

We are the dancers

We dance for dreams

Dhanbad: The immortal ode to rhythm, oddly penned by Albert Einstein, mirrors all the love and hope that dancers from the across the state carried in their heart as they trooped to the coal capital to regale the Prime Minister.

More than 100 tribal artistes from five reputable troupes were in Baliapur on Friday where Narendra Modi descended in the afternoon to lay online the foundation of multi-crore projects, including a premier hospital, a power plant, a fertiliser unit and piped natural gas.

From Padma Shri Mukund Nayak's and Kishore Nayak's Nagpuri dancers (Ranchi) to the Kadsa troupe of Sushma Nag (Gumla), Mundari dancers of Sukhram Pahan (Khunti) and Manbhum Chhau troupe of Prabhat Kumar Mahto (Ranchi) - it was a splendid blend of refined rhythm and rustic charm.

"We have performed at various programmes, including an election meeting in Harmu, Ranchi, in 2014 where Modiji was also present. But, the excitement is way more this time because we are witness to dreams being realised," said Mukund Nayak who reached Baliapur with his troupe of 25 as early as 10am.

Pahan and his group of 20 dancers too have had their share of fame at PM programmes, including one held in Khunti last year. But, the Mundari dance exponent agreed that being part of a "historic moment" felt different. "The thunderous applause from a crowd of 1 lakh, which included VVIPs, will reverberate in our memories forever," he said.

Nag, the teacher of a government school in Gumla, reached Dhanbad a day ahead along with her troupe of 30. They also held dress rehearsals ahead of the function. "The USP of Kadsa dance is that it is a great balancing act with paddy-filled pitchers on the head. It is a tribute to golden harvest. We hope our dance will herald a new season of development for Jharkhand," she said.

Mahto, who practises Purulia's famous chhau dance, arrived from Ranchi with 20 dancers. "We had performed during the India-Japan Summit in Gujarat last September, but taking the stage on our own soil gives a special satisfaction that cannot be measured. This is my first visit to Dhanbad and I am impressed (with the way the event has been organised)," he said.

Kishore Nayak's troupe of 30 Nagpuri dancers was perhaps the most excited. "We waited with bated breath during the four-hour (Ranchi-Dhanbad) journey. It is not every day you get to perform in front of such an august gathering from the state and Centre," he said and anticipated a new dawn of progress for Jharkhand.