Art & Culture
Samnavy theater group stages ‘Yeh Kahan Aa Gye Hum’ at Gaiety Theater
SHIMLA- Don’t mistake activity with achievement is the only thing that rings a bell after watching the final product of Children Theater camp’s production
Students of “Samnavy” theater group entertained audiences with their live performance during the play ‘Yeh Kahaan aa gye hum’ written and directed by Hema Lata Ravat at the historic Gaiety Theater, Shimla.
This production was the result of theater classes/ winter hobby classes organized by the group for the young students in city in which 46 students participated. As the organizers informed it was the seventh years of this winter camp and since camp’s inception there has been no break in it.
The story of the play reflected on the current situations of our life where children live by examples of their parents. The hollowness and sham of the current modern society was being highlighted. As far the theme went it was definitely well conceptualized but when it came to on stage execution flaws were too hard to ignore.
As it is said “don’t mistake activity with achievement” same came be said for the show. The director while scripting dialogue seems to have forgotten the level of artist she was dealing with as heavy words not only made students fumble at various places but even make them forget the dialogue. The diction problem was quiet evident and could have been avoided if simple words were replaced with Shudh Hindi.
Coming to presentation too many scene changes further confused the young ones and there were more fadeouts; which could have been easily avoided; than scenes in the play execution. Dancing in parties is not the only symbol of western culture and unnecessary scene could have been easily avoided. Giving so many spots to little ones confused them. The spot light on mother narrating story to her daughter while sitting on stairs was a total miss.
However, inspite of all the chaos created by the director the little ones still deserve a round of applause for not going blank and still manage to pull the show in front of so many spectators.
Other items that provided little cheer were a magic show by G.M. Negi a magician from Himachal and a Dance of the dead along with Punjabi dance choreographed by Chetan. The make up in the dance was out very well done and it was a great performance.
Like they say all is well if ends well we can say same here as parents were quiet pleased to see their children up on stage performing.
Shimla– This clip of the the Singhtu dance, a captivating and popular folk tradition from Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, was captured at the Seepur Mela held in Mashobra recently.
It is a cherished jewel in the state’s rich and diverse cultural mosaic. This mesmerizing performance, steeped in ancient traditions, enjoys immense popularity, enchanting audiences on both local and international stages. In the Sirmauri dialect, “Singhtu” refers to a lion cub, and in Hindu mythology, the lion is revered as the sacred vehicle of Goddess Durga, lending profound spiritual significance to the dance.
Performed exclusively twice a year during Diwali and Ekadashi, the Singhtu dance is a ritualistic offering at temples and sacred sites, where it has been presented since time immemorial.
Performers don intricately crafted masks depicting animals such as lions, bears, leopards, and mythical forest beings, which are brought out from temples only for these occasions.
These masks, combined with the dancers’ rhythmic movements, vividly evoke Sirmaur’s ancient culture, transporting spectators to a bygone era while celebrating the region’s deep connection to nature.
Himachal Pradesh is a vibrant tapestry of unique traditions, with each district showcasing distinct folk dances, music, and rituals that reflect the state’s multifaceted heritage.
The Singhtu dance, blending spirituality, artistry, and environmental consciousness, stands as a powerful testament to this diversity. Beyond its aesthetic allure, it conveys a timely message of wildlife conservation and environmental preservation, resonating with global concerns.
Art & Culture
Use Offerings Made at Himachal’s Hindu Religious Institutions Only For Hindus, Employ Only Hindus: HP Govt
Shimla-The Additional Chief Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Language, Art & Culture Department has issued a notification barring the use of offerings made at the Hindu religious places or institutions for non-Hindu Communities.
Directions in this regard have been issued to Commissioners (temple) under Section 27 of the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1984.
“All the receipts or offerings including gold and silver of the Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments shall be used only for the purposes pertaining to the welfare and other activities relating to only Hindus. No receipts or offerings shall be used for the purposes associated with activities relating to Non-Hindus,” the notification said.
Further, now, no non-Hindu person would be given any sort of employment at the Hindu religious institutions/places.
“All the officers and officials including the personnel related to security etc. whether appointed or deputed or taken on outsourcing basis shall be out of the persons professing the Hindu religion only,” the notification said.
No further clarification was provided regarding the intended purpose of this move.
Art & Culture
Kullu Dussehra 2021: All Religious Ceremonies to be Allowed, But No Commercial and Cultural Events
Shimla-The International Kullu Dussehra would be organised from 15th October to 21st October, 2021, the Himachal Pradesh Government informed today after holding a meeting regarding the same.
The HP Government has decided that all deities would be invited for the Dussehra festival. Orgnaization of all religious ceremonies would be allowed traditionally, but the cultural and commercial activities would not be held.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur presided over meeting of State Level Kullu Dussehra Committee. Directions were given to ensure proper security system, uninterrupted electricity supply and adherence of Covid-19 guidelines.
It was also decided in the meeting that Language, Art and Culture Department would provide an additional amount of Rs. 10 lakh to district administration Kullu for organising Kullu Dussehra festival.
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