early times report
Jammu, 29: Mesmerizing dances of Jammu & Kashmir enthralled the audience in ICCR's fortnightly programme ' Horizon Series' at the auditorium of the Govt. College for Women, Parade Jammu. Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India under its 'Horizon Series' organized a programme of local artists and forms every fortnight to encourage the native talent and art. So far, last four programmes have featured 'Geetru', 'Bhakh', 'Group Singing', and 'Theatre show' which has created a new rejuvenated movement of performing arts in the city of Jammu.
Today's programme presented the cultural diversity of Jammu region through its traditional dances and featured Dogri, Kashmiri and Gojri dances. Performance of Dogri Jagarna was the highpoint of the event. Jagarna-a traditional dance of the Jammu Hills was at its best both in terms of its musical score and the dance performance. Performed by women folk, Jagarna has a wonderful traditional background which used to be performed exclusively for women only. In the Jammu hills during the marriage celebrations when all the male members of the village used to join the groom in 'Barat', the village used to be left with women folk only. Scared for being alone all the women folk used to gather at groom's place and had to be awake for the whole night. Such a situation gave birth to a very powerful performing tradition which has the rich elements of music, dance and theatre a well. This performance which continues for the whole night is known as 'Jagarna'. There has been a belief that any lady missing and avoiding to perform in the Jagarna used to be taken as annoyed with the groom and their family. By and large the whole women folk used to participate and perform in Jagarna. This mind-blowing performance was followed by a Gojri Dance. The musical traditions of Gujjars have very interesting singing narratives which beautifully portray their cultural ethos and the incidents relating to their daily life and their pet animals. Today's programme which was largely attended by the students will be remembered by them for years for its high professional quality and highly energetic well choreographed dances superbly devised by Rakesh Kumar Kona. Those who participated in the dances included Arti Verma, Gurmeet Kour, Arti Langeh, Simran Sharma, Prachi Manhas, Komal Kalyan, Monika Sharma, Radhika Sharma, Shiveta Raina, Jyoti Kumari, Aruna Kumari, Neha Bhogal, Divya Jamwal, Pallavi Sharma, Ekta Kumari, Pallavi Kotwal and Ashima Jamwal.
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