Rajasthani dance troupe performs in Ghana

An Indian cultural troupe from Rajasthan performed Kalbelia, one of the most sensuous dance forms of the state, here this past week.

Kalbelia dance, performed by a tribe of the same name, has been part of the Unesco's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2010.

Sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the event was organised by the Indian high commission in Ghana's capital city of Accra. The group comprised four male singers and four female dancers.

On the occasion, Indian High Commissioner Jeeva Sagar said art and culture transcend national and international boundaries. The visit of this renowned cultural group from India was an effort to deepen the cultural affinities between India and Ghana.

Four Indian-owned companies operating in Ghana -- Mohinani Group; Tata Holdings Africa; IPMC; and M.G Pharmaceuticals -- co-sponsored the eight-member cultural troupe 'Sapera' (Kalbelia) from Rajasthan for two performances in the country, as part of efforts to deepen the cultural relationship between India and Ghana, he added.

Commending the companies that co-sponsored the visit of the troupe, the Indian high commissioner said their effort was in line with the Indian government's vision and commitment to expand the people-to-people linkages between the two countries.

The troupe's performance in Accra was attended by local Ghanaian dignitaries, including Ghana's Education Minister Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, diplomats, eminent personalities from all walks of life, and members of the Indian community.

From Ghana, the group is scheduled to travel to neighbouring west African country Burkina Faso where it will perform on September 13 and 14.

In 2012, a dance troupe 'NTENTAN' from Ghana had participated in the Africa Festival organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in New Delhi and Ahmedabad from June 14-22.

(Francis Kokutse can be contacted at fkokutse@gmail.com)