Chandigarhs heritage festival, a date with past

Residents of Chandigarh had a date with thir dynamic past during the recently held Heritage Festival.

By Ashwini Kaushal

Chandigarh, Sept. 3 : Residents of Chandigarh had a date with thir dynamic past during the recently held 'Heritage Festival'.

It was fun for children to play with spinning wheels and enjoy a tree swing.Dressed in traditional Punjabi attire, the artists gave a glimpse of rural Punjab as it existed in the past.

It was also the thrilling experience to dance and sing along with members of the "Been Baaza Mast", a local bagpiper band of Punjab.

The dance is unique, as female expressions are delivered by men in a swift and enchanting way.

"It has many benefits. Children are made aware of the lifestyle of their ancestors and other traditions. We haven't seen our past, which has been displayed beautifully at this festival," said Suman Lata, a visitor.

Another attraction was the 'Malwai Gidda' in which men enact scenes from rural life through dance.

In its full form, the 'Malwai Gidda' is about hopping and stomping to songs related to the harvesting of mustard and wheat.

"It's very different to Bhangra. Te Jhummar dance reflects enjoyment, whereas the Bhangra reflects vitality. With the feeling of joy, we perform the Jhummar, which was performed by the people on the banks of River Ravi," said Partap S Shehanshah, a Jhummar proponent.

The day was not just devoted to Punjabi folk dances, but to Rajasthani and Haryanvi dances as well.

The idea was to sell Chandigarh as a central hub of cultural activities.

ANI