Taj
Mahotsav showcases Indian culture in Agra
Agra:
A ten-day Taj Mahotsav in Agra is drawing thousands
of tourists from across the country and abroad. Kickstarted
last Wednesday, a much-awaited event, it has been described
as a festive introduction to India. The festival displaying
the country's extensive arts, crafts and culture besides
folk music and classical dance performances, offers a
variety of entertainment including elephant and camel
rides. Traditional folk musicians, performing outside
the venue of the festival, welcome the visitors. "We like
some music and dance because I think this is history of
India, and is very beautiful," said Nudel, a tourist from
France. The security arrangements were tight with a large
number of police men deployed on the occasion.
Organised
by the state tourism department every year to promote
tourism in and around Agra, the festival is truly India
at its best with a glimpse of its rich heritage and extraordinary
legacies. State authorities said the Taj festival has
been designed to be a complete tourism event in itself.
The majestic Taj Mahal forms the backdrop of the festival.
On
Friday, popular Sufi singer Kailash Kher enchanted the
audience during the on-going 'Taj Mahotsava 2009' here.
Organised by Uttar Pradesh Tourism, the Taj Mahotsav 2009,
started on February 18 and will last till February 27.
Kailash Kher entranced the audience with his high-pitched
rendering of devotional music at the function. The function
has attracted a large number of people. "I really felt
good after listening to Kailash Kher. I would say that
he has a distinct style, which is very different from
everyone," said on of the audience. Kher said that he
was happy with the Sufi music gaining popularity among
present day youth. "There was a time when the people used
to listen even vulgar songs. The thinking of the people
has now changed and I think it's a very good sign. Sufi
music has now gained popularity and is being recognised.
Because of that everyone is trying at least one spiritual
song," Kher said. Taj Mahotsava festival is a tribute
to the legendary master craftsmen and artists in visual
and performing arts. It renders an apt platform to showcase
traditional cultural heritage of Mughal era through such
as elephants, camels and varieties of drummers, trumpeters
etc. Taj Mahotsava showcase folk music and dances of Bundelkhand,
'Nautanki' (theatre), 'Sapera' dances of Rajasthan, Lavani
(dramatised folklore narration) of Maharashtra, Kathakali
of Kerala and numerous other folk dances. As for handicrafts
and novelties, the entire Shilpgram becomes a colourful
market of antiques, woodwork and ivory work. Exquisite
crafts like marble inlays, woodcarvings from Saharanpur,
brass and other metal-ware from Moradabad, handmade carpets
of Badohi, the blue pottery of Khurja, the Chikan fabric
art of Lucknow and the silk of Banaras are exhibited during
the Taj Mahotsava.
-Feb
22, 2009
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