Melange of moves

Its a coming together of cultures,traditional dance forms,sensibilities...At the International Folk Dance Festival,an effort of the Punjab Arts Council...

Russian,French & Indian dancers will speak the language of dance at the International Folk Dance Festival

Its a coming together of cultures,traditional dance forms,sensibilities…At the International Folk Dance Festival,an effort of the Punjab Arts Council,the audience will be treated to a repertoire of popular folk dances from Russia,France and of course,India. The festival is the Councils tribute to Dr MS Randhawa,and a series of cultural activities are being planned to celebrate his birth centenary.

For the dancers of Rosa Vetrov,The Childrens Charitable Fund from Russia,dance is the only way to communicate with the rest of the world and keep their traditions intact. Our dances are a mix of folk,contemporary,sport ballroom dances,Waltz,Tango. You can call it a fusion,with the essence intact, Lucy,one of the artists is looking forward to watch artists from India and France. Total movement is how Valerii and Raisa Yadov,both teachers,describe the dances,be it the traditional Russian Quadrille,a couples dance,also known as the dance of Moscow suburbs,Kaleidoscope,a composition of European dances with the elements of folk music or solo numbers. There is no end to the dance,there is immense scope for improvisation and we are open to ideas, Lucy adds their music too is a mix of American,Latin and Russian. Rosa Vetrov,explains Ryabova Natalia,Director of the organization strives to preserve and develop the cultural heritage of Russia and peace in the area of childrens and youth creativity.

The genres of classical and opera is what the ensemble of Marie Laure Vincent brings to the festival. While the ballet is based on the compositions of well-known classical composers of the 17th century,the opera,Carmen is world-famous,and according to Marie,its a tradition they maintain and is extremely popular with the French audiences. As for Indian folk dances,artists will present naati,luddie,ghoomer,sammi,bhangra…

The festival will travel to Kapurthala and Jalandhar and its an effort,along with the Chandigarh Administration to keep alive the uniqueness of our traditional art forms and the Council is all set to take this artistic activity forward, sums up Harjinder Kaur.

Watch the performances at Tagore Theatre on February 27 at 6:30 pm and at the Plaza on February 28 at 6:30 pm.

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More

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Melange of moves

Its a coming together of cultures,traditional dance forms,sensibilities...At the International Folk Dance Festival,an effort of the Punjab Arts Council...

Its a coming together of cultures,traditional dance forms,sensibilities...At the International Folk Dance Festival,an effort of the Punjab Arts Council...