A festival of choreographic works by eminent choreographers as well as young dancers, Nritya Sanrachana was presented at Pragjyoti Auditorium, Guwahati, by Sangeet Natak Akademi in collaboration with the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Government
of Assam, from 13 to 19 March 2007.

The festival was inaugurated by Akademi awardees and other eminent artists of Assam. The interaction sessions in the morning were on the subject of choreography. Choreographers, critics, observers, and eminent dancers in Manipuri, Chhau, Odissi,
Sattriya, Kathakali and Yakshagana contributed to the proceedings. The event was well-received by dancers of Assam and Guwahati audiences.

The programme follows:

13 March

Ramayana: Ranga Sri Little Ballet Troupe, Bhopal
Choreography: Shanti Bardhan

14 March

Kreeda: Nrityashree, Chennai
Choreography: C.V.Chandrasekhar and Jaya Chandrasekhar

Flying Cranes and Antim Adhyay: Bhoomika, Delhi
Choreography: Narendra Sharma

15 March

Fana'a: Ranjha Revisited: Navtej Singh Johar, Delhi
Choreography: Navtej Singh Johar

Kalyan, Pallavan and Sohamasmi: Madhavi Mudgal's Group, Delhi
Choreography: Madhavi Mudgal

16 March

Navak Kathak: Padatik Dance Centre, Kolkata
Choreography: Chetna Jalan

Shree Durga: Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, Delhi
Choreography: S.D. Nair

17 March

Prakriti Manav: Mitali Kala Kendra, Guwahati
Choreography: Gorima Hazarika

Aranya Amrita: Dancers' Guild, Kolkata
Choreography: Manjushri Chaki Sircar and Ranjbati Sircar

Game of Dice: Sadhya, Delhi
Choreography: Santosh Nair

18 March

Yoddha: Lok Chhanda, Midnapore
Choreography: Maitreyee Pahari

Spanda by Leela Samson's Group, Delhi
Choreography: Leela Samson

19 March

Celebration: Astad Deboo and Group, Mumbai
Choreography: Astad Deboo

Soorya, Thillana, Siva, Sensuality and Panchari: Samudra,
Thiruvananthapuram
Choreography: Madhu Gopinath and Vakkom Sajeev

Sikkim Lok Mahotsav: Festival and Seminar of Folk and Traditional Performing Arts of Sikkim

The festival and seminar of folk and traditional performing arts of Sikkim was organized from 15 to 18 March 2007 in collaboration with the Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department of the Government of Sikkim. The event held in the Indoor Sports Complex
at Namchi in southern Sikkim was inaugurated by Shri G.M. Gurung, Minister for Human Resources, cultural Affairs and Heritage, Government of Sikkim. Shri Kavalam Narayana Panikkar, Vice-Chairman of the Akademi, was the Chief Guest.

Performances were held in the evening. Sessions of seminars were held in the following morning. A number of experts, scholars, observers and artists participated in the interaction sessions. Papers were presented with demonstrations explaining the
historical background and technical aspects of the traditional art forms.

Four experts from outside Sikkim, Prof. Nand Lal Garg (Shimla), musicologist, Shri Anoop Ranjan Pandey (Bilaspur), folklorist, Dr Arjun Das Kesari (Mirzapur, U.P.), folklorist, and Dr V. Jayarajan (Kerala) folklorist and members of the Akademi's Folk and Tribal Art Committee were invited to the festival. Nearly 300 artists of Sikkim and observers representing the northeastern States participated in the festival. The programme was well received by the audience of the state. The programme follows:

Namchi, 15-18 March 2007
Performances (Evening)
15 March

Lepcha Traditional Music: Sonam Tshering Lepcha and Party; Singhi, Bhutia, Lepcha Dance: Troupe of Department of Cultural Affairs & Heritage, Government of Sikkim; Maruni Dance: Naren Gurung & Party; Lok Dhun: Salghari Group- Lok Dohori; Gainey Geet: Gopal Gainey & Party Rongpo; Naumati Dhun: Ghurung Sanskritik Dal Central Pendum.

16 March

Lepcha Dance: Pem Tshering & Group; Manar Dance: Dipen Mangar & Party; Dohori-Bhurung: Mayalmu; Tamang Selo: Bikmat Group; Sangini Dance: West Pendam; Balan by Laxmi Gurgni & troupe, Central Pandam.

17 March

Newari Dance (Mahaprati Saradevi): Newa Ghuti Namthang; Sherpa Dance: Chuba & Group; Dam Key Dance: Hee-Berrnoik
Lepcha Dance by Namchi Group; Bhutia Dance: Namchi Group; Dolakey: Aho Group; Gainang Music Group; Salveri:
Aruna Yamzg and Group.

18 March

Lepcha Dance: Assangthagn, Namchi; Sakewa Dance: Sargan Rai; Bhutia Dance: Tashi Bhutia & Party; Lakhey Dance —
Khangdra Pradan & Party; Tashi Sabdo Bhutai dance: Sajong & group; Mukhia dance: H.R. Mukhia & Party; Ghatu Dance by Kumar Gurung & Group, Chuba.

Seminar (Morning)
16 March

Talk on Sangini: Laxmi Guragai; Talk on Lepcha Music and Dance: Sonam Tshering & Hildamit Lepcha; Talk on Bhutia Dance: Kazi;
Talk on Mangar tradition and Culture: Bishnu Rana; Talk on Limboo traditional Dance: B B Muringla; Talk on Maruni: Naren Gurung.

17 March

Talk on Madal: Kazi Singh; Talk on Lepcha instrument: Namgyal Lepcha; Talk on Tamang Tradition and Culture: K M Tamang;
Talk on Sherpa Tradition and Culture: T T Sherpa; Talk on Rurung Traditional and Culture: Pradeep Kumar Gurung; Talk on Sherpa musical instrument and music: Appa.

18 March

Talk on Maumati: Bhim Thatal; Talk on Sakewa: Sagar Rai, Namchi; Talk on Mukhia Tradition and Culture: H R Mukhia;
Talk on Bhutia Festival Music: Bhai Chung Bhutia; Talk on
Ghatu: K Gurung.