The 3-day annual Bani Chinj Mela kickstarted with cultural fervor at Bani which witnessed huge participation of locals.
The event was orgainsed by the Sub-Divisional Administration Bani in collaboration with JKAACL and Pahari Cultural Forum Bani.
District Development Council Chairperson Kathua, Col( Retd) Mahan Singh was the Chief Guest.
DDC member Bani, Reeta Thakur and SDM Bani, Satish Sharma were also present.
The Mela was organised with the theme “Say No to Drugs, Yes to Life".
On the inaugural day, a colorful Music and Dance programme was organised under the overall guidance of Secretary JKAACL Bharat Singh.
While speaking on the occasion Chief Guest Mahan Singh said “I was awestruck to see the presentations by every artist and urged the Academy authorities to make this event an annual happening so that the Art and Culture of Bani can be preserved”.
SDM Bani in his address said Bani Chinj Mela is becoming a famous event where wrestlers and Cultural troupes from different parts of the UT and neighbouring states turn up with great enthusiasm. He appreciated troupes of JKAACL for their scintillating cultural performances. He said such events help in preserving local Culture and artforms besides giving good opportunities to the artists to inspire young generations.
The programme started with the vibrant dogri dance “Thanda Pani Pinnde ne pahari Lok” by Natya roots Dance group Jammu. Followed the presentations of Subash Chander and party Kud dance, Yudishter Gupta and party dogri folk song.
The programme was concluded with the awestruck performance of Dogri folk Geetru which is a traditional narrative song-dance form in which the lead singer also performs some dance steps and at times also uses the theatrical devices as well.
Ram Ditta and party through their singing advised the folks of Bani not to indulge in drug abuse and also aware the masses at large about the various other social evils existing in the society due to drug abuse.
Retd. ZEO Mele Ram conducted the proceedings of the programme.