Imphal, February 26, 2010: Cultural troupes from Bali (Indonesia), Thailand and Arunachal Pradesh have arrived State capital yesterday to take part in the dance festival organised as a part of the IGNCA, International Symposium Workshop and Festival.

Artistes from Thailand, Bali, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Sikkim will perform on the first day of the two-day festival at the open air theatre of JN Dance Academy on February 27. Performers from Java, Cambodia, Mizoram, Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland will present their items the next at the same venue.

The inaugural function of the festival would be graced by Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker S Budhichandra and Prof AC Bhagawati as chief guest and president respectively.

Interacting with reporters at Hotel Imphal yesterday, Prof Nyoman Sedana, who leads the Balinian troupe, said that the festival is artistically, culturally and economically significant as people of South East Asian countries and North East India have lots of similarities in many aspects.

Maintaining that Budhism and Hinduism share many similar beliefs, Prof Nyoman said that many of the Balinian elders still think that Mahabharata and Ramayana as their own epics which happened at Bali.

Saying that traditions of tritha yatra and holy dip are still prevalent in Bali, the Indonesian Professor said that many Balinian people believe that India is the homeland of their ancestors.

Pornrat Damrhung of Thai troupe said that their dances like peacock dance and candle dance have relevance with Indian culture.

Responding to a query, Pornrat Damhrung said that even though Manipuri dance is very Indian in footsteps and beat, there are similarities in upper hand movements with Thai dances.

Taking part in the interaction, Artistic Director Prof Lokendra Arambam said that IGNCA is being organised keeping in mind of the unique relationship in cultural-historical experiences of the people of North East India and South East Asia.

It is only organised to experience the genuine affinity and unity of these two regions, the Professor added.

The IGNCA, International Symposium Workshop and Festival is being organised by Indira Gandhi National centre for the Arts, New Delhi in association with North East Zone Cultural Centre, Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalashetra and North Eastern Centre of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.

In all, 92 artistes from outside the State are performing in the festival.

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