A performance of Pung Cholom by Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy students

Imphal, March 27: The third National Festival of Dance and Music, organised by the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy in association with the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, began at the academy complex here yesterday.

Manipur Governor Ved Marwah inaugurated the festival. The four-day festival will feature a number of established and upcoming artistes in Indian classical and folk music.

Designed as a national event featuring eminent artistes from various parts of the country as well as local talents, the festival has been organised to celebrate the diversity of Indian culture through the traditional performing arts.

The vibrant and myriad traditions of India and their continuing relevance down the ages symbolise the spirit and identity of the nation.

Manipur, with its rich heritage, is an integral part of the identity of India. L. Joychandra, academy director, said the objective of the festival was “to give the people of Manipur a glimpse into their tradition. The festival also provided the people with an opportunity to examine their traditions anew in the context of the changing society and the performing arts of other regions.”

The Governor, in his address, laid stress on the composite culture of the country and said the festival would go a long way in bringing about cultural synthesis and emotional integration.

The inaugural evening witnessed a superb performance of Pung Cholom presented by the students of the academy. It was followed by Darshana Jhaveri’s charismatic Manipuri dance item.

The evening was rounded off with a Kathak recital by septuagenarian Rohini Bhate, dancer, teacher and scholar. On the second day of the festival today, Leibakmacha Singh and his group played pena, a traditional musical instrument of Manipur.

The attention of the audience was next drawn to Bishwajit Chakraborty and his group’s performance in baul music. The item showcased the richness of the music of Bengal. Baul is one of the most popular forms of Bengal’s folk music, popularised by minstrels.

Over the next two days, the festival will present dance and music performances by Sharon Lowen (Odissi), Chita Visweshwaran (Bharatanatyam), Ulha Kashalkar (Hindustani vocal), Ranganathan Visweswaran (santoor), as well as Bihu and Bhortal dance, Chhau and folk dance and music from Meghalaya.

A member of the audience said the festival had provided a platform for the interaction of different artistes of India.