In continuance of its role to showcase Jammu’s folk forms of dance and music, especially those at verge of extinction, Jammu Regional Office of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, under its Horizon Series, organized ‘Kudd’ dance performance at Vijaypur, Samba.
The vibrant ‘Kudd’ dance presentation by a notable group of Khem Raj of Reasi, unleashed magic of folk-dance of great antiquity. Khem Raj, who is also a National Sangeet Natak Awardee in this particular folk dance form, himself danced as the main dancer, which was highly applauded and appreciated by audiences.
Kudd is one of the most popular amongst folk dances of Jammu and Kashmir. This dance is mainly performed to pay obeisance to Lok Devtas. This dance is performed during nights under the luminance of stars, in which 20 to 30 odd performers dance to express their joy and thanks to the Almighty. The traditional Kudd dance, which is fondly performed by local people of Jammu’s middle mountain ranges, is basically a ritual to honor Lok Devtas or Gram-Devatas, meaning Gods of the village. The real motive of this folk-dance form is to thank the eternal power for protecting the lives of the people, their crops and cattle, and their children.
While welcoming invited guests, Regional Director of ICCR Jammu, N K Shil informed that ICCR Jammu takes pride in reviving the rarest performing arts tradition of Jammu region. ICCR in its endeavour to bring cultural traditions of the region to National/International limelight, has organised Hern Festival, Geetru Festival, Karkaan Festival, Bhaakh Festival and Jagarna Festival so far, he added.
The musicians who accompanied the group included Mulkh Raj and Kishore Kumar on Dhol, Sham Lal on Kael, Hera Chand on Narsinga, Yogesh Chander on Khartal and Krishan Kumar and Karam Chand on Flute. Vote of thanks was presented by Reena Slathia, Cultural Officer, ICCR Jammu.
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