Familiar languages, faces reconnect after Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path

Among the spectators was S. Laxmi, who has lived in Delhi for 35 years and hails from Tamil Nadu. Spotting performers in traditional attire, she broke into conversation in Tamil. “It’s a joy to converse in our own language,” she said and asked a dancer where he lived in Tamil Nadu. After exchanging greetings with the spectator, the dancer, Md. Aslam, a performer from Tiruchirappalli, said the troupe had rehearsed for nearly 20 days for a performance that lasted only a few minutes. “It is a great feeling to perform in front of national and international dignitaries,” he said.

As the celebrations at Kartavya Path came to an end, many in the audience stayed on to speak to the artistes from their home States and click selfies with them.

Among the spectators was S. Laxmi, who has lived in Delhi for 35 years and hails from Tamil Nadu. Spotting performers in traditional attire, she broke into conversation in Tamil. “It’s a joy to converse in our own language,” she said and asked a dancer where he lived in Tamil Nadu. After exchanging greetings with the spectator, the dancer, Md. Aslam, a performer from Tiruchirappalli, said the troupe had rehearsed for nearly 20 days for a performance that lasted only a few minutes. “It is a great feeling to perform in front of national and international dignitaries,” he said.

Dance troupes from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Assam and West Bengal arrived in Delhi as early as January 9 to rehearse together. Practising alongside artists from other regions was an experience in itself, said many. “The experience is great, and we get to interact and learn about other cultures also,” said one of the performers.

According to an official release, around 2,500 artistes participated in this year’s celebrations.

The groups were a mix of college students, trained dancers and veteran artists. For many, it was their first visit to Delhi and their first performance outside their home State. Virendra Ogre, 36, part of the Chhattisgarh contingent, said that although he had performed at several State and Central government events, this was his first Republic Day appearance with his State troupe.

“We have been carrying our legacy for five generations and are now training our children too,” he said. “Our dance, ghedi nrutya, needs to be preserved and represented across the world. With evolving times, we cannot let it disappear.”