Indo-Mexican Folklores reach crescendo at 7th Khalsa College International Folk Festival
Babushai Bureau
Amritsar: February 22, 2024: The foot-tapping and head swinging dance and music program was presented by artists from Mexico at Khalsa College of Engineering and Technology (KCET). There was an attractive fusion of Indo-Mexican folk exchange as the singers and dancers from two countries performed “Bhangra” together at 7th Khalsa College International Folk Festival.
The dramatic presentations reached crescendo when dancers from Mexico and College students, clad in their traditional dresses, took to the stage and the audience broke into applauds and cheers.
It was a rare and magical spectacle of music frenzy. The festival was organized by Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC) in collaboration with Khalsa College Amritsar Global Alumni Association and Punjab Cultural Promotion Council (PCPC) and hosted by KCET and Khalsa College of Education (KCE) jointly.
The Mexican Folk Ensemble ‘Tierra Mestiza’, led by their director Carolina Ordaz Ortiz danced and sang their native folk dances Jalisco and kumbis in their traditional dresses as they took to stage with enthusiasm. The music and theatrical presentation touched nerves as they gave enthralling presentations.
The Khalsa institutions’ students meanwhile exhibited Punjabi Bhangra and Gidda by Khaksa college for women and Himachali Naati and Kashmiri Rouf dances during the festival.
The African student from KCET sang a song in the honour of the international festival .
KCET Director-Principal Dr.Manju Bala who welcomed the guests said the purpose of the festival is to foster understanding between diverse cultures. She said such programs give the students exposure to learn the traditions of different countries. She said KCET was proud to host the international festival.
Global Heritage exponent of Sikh culture and philosophy and Festival Director Dr. Davinder Singh Chhina said that it was the 7th festival in the row and their aim is to bring the artists from different countries on a single platform to promote multiculturalism and international cooperation. He said the artists from Mexico were in Punjab for over a week and proud to learn about rich traditions of the state; Sikh heritage and khalsa college Heritage . The other artists who were part of the group included Itzel Guadalupe, Elizabeth, Sara, Erika Lilian, Maria Soledad, Rodrigo, Hugo Mauricio, Omar Alejandro, Alfonso, Noe Jeronimo.
In his Exclusive address Dr Chhina said the festival was dedicated to 132- years of the Incredible legacy of historic Khalsa College, Amritsar. He said the philosophy behind such exchanges is to promote world peace and international understanding of Diverse cultures of the world . He said as the world was ridden with strife today the “humanitarianism and human rights” espoused by our great Gurus are the most relevant today as far as global peace n tolerance are concerned .