Sirmaur Hattee folk culture showcased at National Unity Day in Gujarat
Eighty artistes from Sirmaur presented traditional folk dances during celebrations held at Ekta Nagar in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Artistes from the Hattee community of Sirmaur presented traditional folk dances at the National Unity Day celebrations in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on October 31. According to The Tribune, the event was held to mark the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The cultural troupe, led by Dr Joginder Habbi and Kailash Sharma, showcased the attire and dance forms of the Giri Paar region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and other dignitaries attended the programme.
The performance featured traditional Hattee clothing, including Ghaghtu, Jhagtu, Dhathu, Loiya, Suthan, and traditional caps. Renowned Himachali folk singer Chandra Mohan Thakur, Chaman Lal, Dr Ishwar Sharma, and Mahima Nand also contributed to the presentation.
The 12-minute performance was based on themes of Vande Mataram, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, and national unity. The programme was organised under the guidance of Ashwin Mahesh Dalvi, Director of the North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala, and supervised by Programme Officer Rajesh Bakshi.
Dr Habbi stated that rehearsals for the programme involving thousands of artistes took place from October 22 to 30. The final presentation on October 31 included around 5,000 artistes, with nearly 3,000 from Gujarat and 2,000 from other states.
Dr Habbi said that representing Hattee tribal culture at a national-level celebration was a matter of pride for Sirmaur. The event included more than 50 folk dance forms and eight classical dance styles presented in eight groups.