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07. TRAVEL
Haryanvi Theatre
, Jyotisar, Haryana
Jyotisar is where Lord Krishna imparted the teachings of the Bhagwat Gita to Arjuna, and Kurukshetra, site of the great battle of the Mahabhrata is nearby.
To give a feel of Mahabhrata to the tourist coming to Jyotisar, a group of talented local youth was trained in dramatics by professionals from the National School of Drama. To give ethnic flavour to this epic, it was prepared in the local language, Haryanvi. The twelve-member group calls itself the Jyoti Kala Manch. Every year on the occasion of the Gita Jayanti festival (December), the group plans to stage different playes based on the holy scriptures. The troupe is also actively engaged in street theatre to spread awareness on several social and civic issues.
Ballavpur Adivasi Kala Kendra
Ballavpur Danga, West Bengal
Santhal Adivasi Tribal Dance group, led by elderly women of the village giving a traditional welcome to guests. The performance starts at a leisurely pace, building up to an enthusiastic display. The village community has created a special amphitheatre display decorated with lovely mural paintings and it is here, under the azure sky or by the glow of a bonfire that the dance is performed. The Ballavpur Adivasi Kala Kendra is an organized dance troupe noteworthy for its dancing skill, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of the modal and lagra (drums).
Baul singer, the mystic minstrel of Bengal is easily identified by the saffron robe and ektara (musical instrument). Bauls represent a heterogeneous in used as a vehicle to express their ideology.
Dappulu Dance
ANEGUNDI. Karnataka
Captivating dance performed to the beats of the dappu, a hand-held drum made by stretching leather over an iron ring. The artists dance, enact rituals and perform acrobatics while playing the dappu; drumbeats are punctuated by the music from their ankle-bells. Dappulu is performed during all important festivals and ceremonies.
Kutchi Folk Music
Hodka, Gujarat
Expressions of love and nature and God are sung in hauntingly melodious voices in the Banni grasslands of Kutch.
Every evening at the Shaam-e-Sarhad rural heritage resort in Hodka, visitors can engage in a truly delightful rendition of Kutchi music in reedy voices. Seen here are folk instruments: santaar, ghada, gamela and manzira.
Karagattam
Anakkara, Kerala
Drama, skill and poise all come into play as the men dance with synchronized movements and even manage acrobatics, all the white balancing a vertical line of pots (karagams) on their head!
Kerala exemplifies the genre of enthralling dramatic performances, which not only exhibits ingenious folk culture, but also highlights the commitment and conviction of the present-day community towards preserving the ancient art forms, which demand a long and rigorous hours of practice.
Vaanar Sena
Anegundi, Karnataka
Historically, this small village was once the cradle of Kishkinda, the monkey kingdom mentioned in the great Indian epic Ramayana, as also the birthplace of Lord Hanuman, who is revered by Hindus for his valour and loyalty. Lord Hanuman’s troop is referred to as the ‘vaanar sena’ (monkey army). Local artists celebrate the religious and historical significance of their village by enacting scenes from Hanumayana, depicting the life and deeds of the Monkey God.
For more information, log on to http://www.incredibleindia.org/
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