Cultural troupes from across country participate in Intl.folk dance festival in HP

Kullu: Cultural troupes from across India participated in an International folk Dance festival in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, to promote and preserve the region`s traditional folk dances. Lal Chandra Prarthi Kala Kendra, a cultural organisation, had hosted this weeklong colourful extravaganza at the Dhalpur Maidan (grounds) on the outskirts of Kullu. The Chief Secretary, Himachal Pradesh Government, Sudripta Roy told the reporters that such festivals provide a platform where people can exchange and interchange the various styles and methods of dancing. "Himachal has very unique folk dances, which is not seen anywhere else in the country. This is one forum where we can preserve and promote these types of folk dances. International folk Dance festival also helps us to share good practices which happen in the world of folk development and this is a very good forum where people can exchange and interchange the various styles and methods not only of dancing but also the dance content which is very vital for development and survival of dance," said Roy. Artistes enthralled the audience of locals, domestic as well as foreign tourists. A folk dance troupe from India`s northern state of Jammu and Kashmir participated in the festival with full fervour. Amid enthusiasm, a participant from Jammu and Kashmir, Harmeet said that it was a great experience for her to participate in the festival. "It was great experience. Actually I came here for the first time. My friends have visited many a times but this is for the first time that I came here. It was a great experience and I would love to come again and again," said Harmeet. The International Kullu Dussehra Festival is also linked to the traditional Hindu festival of Dussehra and the Folk Dance Festival also takes place at that time. Artistes from several states including Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir along with participants from different districts of Himachal Pradesh participated in this folk dance festival. ANI