Chandigargh: Polish dancers present a vibrant fusion

Members of Ziemia Myslenicka are in city under an exchange programme
Express News Service

Chandigargh, September 6: It was a visual treat at Ryan International School, Sector 49, as 23 delegates from Poland participated in a cultural bonanza of songs and dances. Dolly Guleria, eminent Punjabi singer, presided over the function.

Comprising mainly students, the visitors were in India as part of a cultural exchange programme. Beginning with a group dance called Goralski, which is a folk dance of the highlanders, the group performed dances and songs from their native land. They surprised everybody by presenting Bhangra, which was the final act of the evening and for which the dancers dressed up in the traditional Punjabi costumes.

Meanwhile, the students of the host school presented a Bharatnatyam performance dance followed by Rajasthani and Punjabi dances.

Talking to Newsline, one of the visitors said that the group was called ‘Ziemia Myslenicka’, which means the land of Myslenicka — a part of Poland where they all hail from.

Meanwhile, the coordinator of the group, Anna Pietrak, said the team had arrived in India on August 29 to participate in the International Festival of Performing Arts organised by Ryan International in Delhi.

Following that, they had came to Chandigarh on Tuesday for a two-day stay. ‘‘From here, it’s onto Ludhiana and Amritsar, before we leave for Poland on September 11,’’ Anna said.

In the two days that they spent here, the Poles got the chance to experience a slice of life in Chandigarh as they stayed with the families of the students. Though the change in weather and food were two of the biggest challenges, Anna said the group had slowly gotten used it. ‘‘They’re enjoying the stay now,’’ she said with a smile.

Meanwhile, apart from taking a sightseeing tour, the visitors also got a chance to learn some nuances of Indian art, craft and dance today. Earlier today, the school organised workshops where the visitors learnt block printing, glass painting and classical dance.