Master artist Sudha Grover and her traditional folk dancers present Indian folk dances at Community Middle School, 55 Grovers Mill Road in Plainsboro, on Saturday, April 1, at 2 p.m. The free program is co-sponsored by the Plainsboro Arts Partnership, Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission, and the Folklife Program for New Jersey. To register call 732-745-4489.##M:[more]##
The dancers will perform folk dances from all over India, including Chamba, a dance of the shepherdesses in the northern mountains of Himachal Pradesh; the graceful Giddha from the northen state of Punjab; Ghumar, a popular dance done in central India by Rajasthani women during the festival of Holi; Garba-Raas, a women’s wedding dance from the western state of Gujurat; and Ganesh Chaturthi, a dance from the western state of Maharashtia that makes use of the colorful sari’s worn by the women dancers.
The dances have survived through the ages by way of actual performances, memory, and song. The dances and accompanying songs vary from region to region due to differences in languages, traditions, clothing, and dance styles. However, the general meaning of the song lyrics may be quite similar — for example, celebrating after the harvest season, teasing the newlyweds during wedding ceremonies, or simply enjoying festive holidays like Holi and Diwali.
For more than 20 years Sudha Grover has imparted the knowledge of Indian dance to the children of Indian immigrants living in New Jersey. While teaching her students the classical style of Odissi and traditional regional folk dances, she instills a love and understanding of the rich cultural heritage of India.
The Folklife Program for New Jersey was instituted in 1990 to broaden the appreciation and availability of folk arts, folklore, and folklife within Middlesex County; identify and preserve folk traditions expressed by the people of Central New Jersey; provide a forum for the presentation of New Jersey and regional folk artists: and encourage public involvement in the folk arts through educational programming and cross-cultural exchange.
Folk Dances of India, Middlesex County Cultural Commission, Community Middle School, 55 Grovers Mill Road, Plainsboro, 732-745-4489. www.cultureheritage.org. Register. Free. Saturday, April 1, 2 p.m.
