Sirmaur’s Singhtu dance will be presented for the first time in Republic Day
World record holder and internationally renowned folk artist Dr. Jogendra Habib said in a press statement that in the cultural parade on the path of duty in the 76th national level Republic Day celebrations, artists of Aasra Sanstha Pazhouta, Sirmaur will present a glimpse of Sihadu dance of Hati tribal area of Sirmaur district. More than five thousand artists from almost all the states and union territories of India will present various types of folk and tribal dances in unison in the cultural program being choreographed for the cultural parade by Dr. Sandhya Purecha, President of Sangeet Natak Akademi, courtesy of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. This huge performance will also be registered in the Guinness Book of World Records on January 24 by the Ministry of Culture.
On the path of duty, the main attraction of Singhtu, the lion, will be displayed along with other dances in front of the main stage in front of the Chief Guest of the Republic Day, the President of the Republic of Indonesia Mr. Prabowo Subianto, Her Excellency the President of India Mrs. Draupadi Murmu, the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi and other special guests. Masks of bear, lion, ape, bird etc. will be displayed at different places.
As per the order of the Department of Language and Culture, Himachal Pradesh, the Singhtu dance of Sirmaur district is going to be presented for the first time on Republic Day, due to which the artists of Aasra are very excited. However, 20 years ago also, the artists of this group, along with other artists, had trained 250 young artists in Sirmauri Naati in the same parade in the year 2005 and brought Sirmauri Naati to a new level by securing the second position in the country.
Apart from Singhtu dance from different states in the cultural parade, around 200 Himachali artists of Kulluvi, Siraji, and Sirmauri Nati will also be a part of the cultural parade at various places on the Kartavya Path and will showcase the culture of the state.
Padma Shri Vidyanand Saraik and Dr. Jogendra Habbi, after studying and researching Singhtu dance associated with Dev tradition in the Sirmaur district about two decades ago, refined this dance and brought it to cultural platforms for the entertainment of the general public. Today Singhtu dance has become a special attraction for the audience not only in the state but also outside the state. This is the reason that this time Singhdu dance has been included in the cultural parade of Republic Day. Even before this, this dance has been presented in front of His Excellency the President and the Prime Minister dozens of times.
It is noteworthy that these days, Guru Gopal Habibi, who the Sangeet Natak Academy, Delhi has awarded the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, is also training the newly learned artists in Singhtu mask, costume making ,and dance at Habibi Mansingh Kala Kendra, Jalang. Most of the artists who are receiving training from him will perform Singhtu dance in this parade.
