Manipur's Classical Dance Festival promotes peace

Imphal, Mar 15 (ANI): The first international Indian classical dance festival (indiclad) 2010 was held in Manipur with an aim to revive the traditional devotional performing arts amongst the youth and to promote peace and harmony in the region.

A scintillating Nat Sankritan performance by 250 traditional sankirtana devotees marked the inauguration ceremony of the international dance festival held at Mani Mandir, ISKCON in Imphal.

The four day long dance festival was organised by Ranganiketan, Manipuri cultural troupe of ISKCON in sponsorship with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

Foreign and local artists performed various classical dances like Kathakalli, Kathak, Odissi, Bharat Natyam, Manipuri and Sutra.

"This festival is not an ordinary dance festival. It is a platform for the development of peace in the society. We are trying to bring everyone together in one platform and pray to Almighty," said Ajit Das, chairman, INDICLAD Festival.

Guadaljara Mahima Sandoval of Spain and Miss India Universe Ekta Choudhury also attended the festival as special guests.

Seminars for youths on HIV infection and drug addiction through Vedic wisdom were also conducted as a part of the event.

People in the state thronged the venue to witness the grand event and they also got a chance to meet, exchange views and understand people and their customs from other parts of the world.

"It is very good for the society to understand and know other people from other parts of the world," said L.Ibomcha, Audience

"Such function will bring understanding and peace amongst people in the state. Feelings of violence in people can be controlled through such event," L. Prathamani, Audience

The festival provided a platform for various dance forms and spread the universal message of peace. By L.C.K Singh (ANI)