Srinagar : India’s 75th Republic Day marked with grace & tradition (Pics)

To commemorate the 75th Republic Day of India falling on January 26, 2024, a dance ensemble was held at the BMICH in Colombo yesterday (24) showcased by Indian and Sri Lankan dance artistes.

Organised by the Indian High Commission in Colombo, ‘Sringar – Tapestry of Classical Indian Dance Forms’, showcased eight Indian classical dance forms – Odissi, Kathakali, Manipuri, Sattriya, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kathak and Kuchipudi.

The joint India-Sri Lanka performance embodied the richness of the cultural affinities between the two countries.

Four of these performances were led by a visiting Indian troupe nominated by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), including Odissi led by Namrata Mehta and her team Siddhi Waikar, Namaha Mazoomdar, Anuradha Sanghvi, Dhruvi Jaiin, Kathakali by Renjish Nair, Manipuri by Purbita Mukherjee, and Sattriya by Satabdi Borah. 

The other four were performed by Sri Lankan dance exponents, including Bharatanatyam by Dhanuka Dhakshith Samaraweera, Mohiniyattam by Nishali Silva, Kathak by Veronica Dassanayaka, and Kuchipudi by Thakshayini Kamalanathan. 

The dance recital was further adorned by young students of Hindu Ladies’ College, Colombo.

The event was graced by Minister of Transport,Highways and Mass Media – Bandula Gunawardana, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs – Vidura Wickramanayaka, Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries – Mahinda Amaraweera, Members of Parliament, members of the diplomatic corps, Indian diaspora, and other dignitaries.

In the next few days, the Indian dance troupe will travel around the country and stage performances at Kandy, Galle, Batticaloa and Jaffna.