Jamshedpur, March 8: The International Council of Dance (CID Unesco) has chosen three Indian cities — Jamshedpur, New Delhi and Mumbai — as venues for three gala events celebrating World Dance Day on April 29.

The CID Unesco is an umbrella organisation for all forms of dance in countries of the world. The mega event will be organised in association with the National Institute of Chhau. This will be the first time that the steel city will host such a world event.

But why Jamshedpur?

As Vikrant Kishore, a member of CID, India, explains: “The CID president, Alkis Raftis, had asked members to boost folk dances that are usually neglected. This would be the group’s small initiative to promote Chhau in Jharkhand, Bengal and Orissa. We believes that dance unites people.”

Since CID’s inception in 1973 the group has multiplied in both number and size. It now has members in more than 100 countries, with 194 people as stakeholders in India alone. However, this is the first time that the group has taken a concrete step towards cementing its Indian connection and cultural ties.

Plans are on to send proposals to the Indian Council for Cultural Research (ICCR) and cultural groups such as Sangeet Natak Akademi to join in event and boost performances.

“Most people in smaller cities hardly get to take part in such programmes. This year we plan to start the programme with local artistes, but we also plan to expand later and bring in international artistes,” said Kishore.

The World Dance day this year will showcase forms of Chhau such as Manbhum Chhau, Mayurbhanj Chhau and Seraikela Chhau. Other folk and tribal dances will also be a part of the show.

“It is the smaller cities that keep culture and India’s roots alive. We will stress more on folk dances such as Chhau this year because we feel that rural and traditional culture is more alive here, than in the bigger cities. If everything goes according to plan, from next year, the city will get to see more international dance performances,” said Kishore.