Dance, cultural shows wow audience

PATNA: Patnaites were in for a treat on Sunday as members of Prince Group, the winners of a popular TV reality show, entertained the audience with their stunts, formations and cartwheels at a live performance at the S K Memorial Hall here. In continuation of the Bihar Diwas celebrations that kicked off on Saturday, a host of non-political cultural shows were organized in the city to promote the heritage of Bihar as well as to bring a pan India flavour to the event. Hailing from modest families of Berhampur in Odisha, the members of the dance troupe's claim to fame was the reality TV show India's Got Talent. With the backdrop of neon lights on the stage, they entertained an almost packed hall with their performances 'Tiranga', 'Krishna' and 'Dashavatar'. However, the near perfect sync of the group was missing in the acts.City residents also enjoyed classical Bharatanatyam when danseuse Geeta Chandran's exuberant grace and tenderness of her dance steps matched with the expressions and rhythms of the music. Chandran, a Padma Shri, drew frequent applause from the audience during her performance. A perfect 'jugalbandi' was in store for Patnaites when Kamal Sabri on sarangi and U Shrinivas on mandolin took over the stage with their instrumental recital. Bihar chief secretary Ashok Kumar Sinha and education department principal secretary Amarjeet Sinha were present on the occasion. The event was anchored by Soma Chakraborty and Shailesh Kumar. The celebrations mark the 102nd anniversary of separate statehood status to Bihar.School kids mesmerized the audience at the Rabindra Bhawan with their cultural programme that included songs, dance and drama performances. While young poets of Bihar Baal Bhawan 'Kilkari' recited self composed poems such as 'Typical Bihari' at Eco Park on Sunday morning, the actors of the institute staged a play, 'Mai Bihar hoon', in the evening. Maithili tunes rent the air as noted singers Ranjana Jha and Surendra Narayan Yadav sang several folk numbers of the state.With the political season in full swing, the satires and jibes at a 'kavi sammelan' at the Premchand Rangshala left the audience in splits. The couplets and poems by noted personalities, including Vishnu Khare, Manglesh Dabral, Neelesh Raghubanshi, Alok Dhanwa, Arun Kamal, Krishna Kalpit, Rakesh Ranjan, Poonam Singh and Gagan Gill, among others, entertained the audience.While performances from Kerala and Odisha will mark the final day celebrations on Monday, Bihar governor D Y Patil will also grace the concluding ceremony. Plays based on Bihar's folklores will also be staged on Monday.