Haryanvi folklore maestros regaled the scant audience on the opening day of the three-day Haryanvi Ragini Festival at Tagore theatre here today.
The folklore bonanza brought to the city by the North Zone Cultural Centre and Information and Public Relation Department, Haryana, is aimed at projecting a slice of Haryanvi folk culture to the city art lovers, disclosed IAS K.K. Khandelwal.
As many as 10 top folklore troupes will perform during the fest, he added. Master Satbir Singh supported by accompanying artists rendered three ragini compositions of Pandit Lakhmi Chand, hailed as the Shakespeare of Haryana. The raginis weaved in devotional pastoral fervour were well received by relatively low listeners.
The humour remains the essential ingredient of Haryanvis and acclaimed ragini singer, Pale Ram, spelt rustic humour and folk melody with romantic fervour like “Jahaaz mein baith gori”or “Mujhko kyon badnam kiya”. Master Suresh Kumar too impressed with his virile voice concluding with “Sajan ke ghar jaya sai gori”.
Haryanavi poet and anchor, Raj Kumar Dhankad, compeered the programme. The chief guest IAS Fateh Singh Dagar honoured the artists.