Bangladesh joins Khajuraho Dance Festival

Prominent Bangladeshi dance school Shadhona has been invited to represent Bangladesh as a theme region for the prestigious event. The week long festival is taking place against the backdrop of the Khajuraho temples in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. The festival is organised by the Department of Culture of Madhya Pradesh and commenced on February 20. Rahul Rastogi, assistant director at Ustad Allaudin Khan Academy, Bhopal, said, “We are introducing Atithi Devo Bhav this year to introduce their (Bangladesh) cultural practices. This year, we are inviting Bangladesh to showcase their culture and celebrate the spirit of dance in musical extravaganza of Khajuraho.” Different forms of Indian classical dances like Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Chhau, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi and Kathakali will be performed at the festival by the artists selected by National Selection Committee. Khajuraho Dance Festival is not just a platform for musicals, as several other activities have been undertaken by the authorities to give the audience a holistic experience. “The festival will also have programs like Art Mart, Naipathya, and International Film Festival. The audience will not only enjoying the musical extravaganza, but will also be educating themselves by attending discussions,” Rastogi said in this regard. Team Bangladesh will be on an open-air stage before each day’s main performance throughout the week. Raibeshe, Baul, Poddar Nachon and other folk dances, Badolo Borishone (a dance-drama based on Nazrul’s story and songs), Manipuri from Srimangal, Aye Amader Ongone (a dance drama based on Tagore’s Brikkhoropon) and patriotic dances from the Language Movement are on the list of their performances. Shabbir Ahmed Khan (Biju), Sweety Das Chowdhury and Amit Chowdhury are the choreographers for the presentations. Renowned Baul Singer Shafi Mondol will accompany the troupe, which also consists of dancers, Dhulis, Lathiyals and Manipuri performers from Sylhet. 21 other countries aside from Bangladesh and India, including Canada, Bahrain, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Korea and Turkey, are participating in the grand event. Bangladesh’s participation in the event will be supported by the Bangladesh Tourism Board of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Government of Bangladesh.