Nrityanchal, one of the most prominent dance organisations of the country, organised a seminar on practice of Bangladeshi folk dance and its continuation. The event took place at the seminar room of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on September 28 where an elaborated discussion was held on contemporary dance scenario in Bangladesh and the practice and prospect of our folk dance.
Celebrated dance artist and director of Nrityanchal, Shamim Ara Nipa took the initiative to arrange the seminar and presented the key note paper which is an output of her ongoing research project that involves study into the roots of rural folk dance in seven divisions of Bangladesh. She, along with the support of Nrityanchal, is trying to document the original dance styles of different forms of folk dance. “In the dance productions produced for urban audience, we don’t portray the original styles of different kinds of folk dances. We modify it and then present before a wider urban audience to keep city-based Bangladeshis in touch with their cultural heritage,” said the dance exponent at the seminar.
Regarding Nrityanchal’s current project, Nipa stated: “We tried to pick our traditional folk dance forms as it is. Work has already begun on Nrityanchal’s project named ‘Practice of Bangladeshi folk dance and its continuation.’”
While talking about protecting the folk dance forms and promoting their roots, she said: “I am still working hard to collect the backgrounds of different dance forms. It is necessary for the genres of traditional Bangladeshi folk dance to become well accepted among the dance enthusiasts all over the world.”
“We need to take steps to bring out our dance heritage into the limelight. We are trying to popularise the folk genres like jari, lathi, dhamail, bratachari and more. We are trying our level best to reach our goal.”