JKAACL organises “One Day Folk Festival at Sainik School Nagrota”

Jammu, 09-09-2023 J&K Academy of art, Culture and Languages with an aim is to provide glimpse of rich
cultural folk traditions of J&K organised a One Day Folk Festival at Sainik School
Nagrota, Jammu for the staff and students of the school.

At the very outset Secretary JKAACL Sh. Bharat Singh, JKAS told that these
programmes aim to revive the rich and vanishing vernacular culture of Jammu region.
The youth, in multitude, of the region highly encouraged to participate in these
programmes to witness the grandeur of the regional heritage.

Mrs Parveenakhtar A Desai, the first Lady of the Sainik School Nagrota was the Chief
guest on the occasion. In beginning Lt. Colonel Mr. Amit Kumar, Vice Principal Sanik
School, Nagrota welcomed the Secretary, JKAACL with a bunch of flowers. He also
welcomed Dr. Shahnawaz, Editor cum Cultural Officer, JKAACL and Mr. Anil Tickoo,
Assistant Cultural Officer, JKAACL.

In the Festival the folk forms like Geetru, Jattar, Haran, Bhakah and Dogri Folk dances
were presented. The students were briefed about each folk form like Geetru Presented
by RamDitta & Group, is a dance –song of Dogra –Pahari region of Jammu being
performed on the occasion of Festivals, feasts and weddings by the rural folk parties.
Boys and Girls both participate in this traditional dance-song form in their traditional
costumes. It was followed by Haran by Charan Das Mangotra & Party. It is basically a
folk-Opera that represents dance and drama in an integrated musical form. This form of
Operetta is performed by the village folk throughout the hilly areas of Duggar during
the days preceding Lohri. The term Haran means “Deer” the legendary animal that
finds its mention in various folk songs especially Heea Haran. Dogri Folk dances were
presented by Astitva Theatre and Musical Group who enthralled the audience. These
dances of Jammu are mostly ritualistic in form with fast and rhythmic steps. Bhaakh
was presented by Kamla Devi and party. Dogra Women through their songs deal with
the pain of separation. Through Bhaakhs, women give vent to their longing for
husbands or beloved. Bhaakh also expresses the pain women undergo being away from
their maternal home, their roots, their childhood friends, and how they deal with their
pain.
Jattar was presented by Loknath Jattar of Mohan Lal and Party. Performance of Jattar
takes place in which normally a Dhol is used as a music instrument and the dialogues
are to be held in between Nath ( Who beat the Dhol ) and CheLa ( who gives the
instructions as Devta ) Thali which is put on the top of Garha used as musical
instrument followed by the Dhool and the dialogues.

After the conclusion of the event First Lady of the School Mrs Parveenakhtar A Desai
in the presence of Mr. Amit Kumar, Vice principal presented a memento to Sh. Bharat
Singh, JKAS Secretary, JKAACL for organising such a beautiful event.

The program was ably conducted by Parveen Sharma.

The Cultural Academy’s effort in promoting cultural sensitivities is receiving rounds of
appreciation from the art and culture connoisseurs of the region.