Jammu, Jan 18: IIM Jammu, in association with Natrang Jammu, today presented a mega dance show titled “Colors of India” at the Mandapam Auditorium, Jammu. Featuring around 150 performers, the spectacular presentation showcased the rich and diverse dance traditions of India, including Kashmiri, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Gujarati, Marathi, Haryanvi, and several vibrant South Indian dance expressions.

The event commenced with the lighting of the traditional lamp by the Director, Indian Institute of Management Jammu, Prof. B. S. Sahay, who was joined by Padma Shri Balwant Thakur, Director Natrang Jammu, and senior faculty members of IIM Jammu.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. B. S. Sahay elaborated on the transformative power of the arts, highlighting their crucial role in shaping soft skills, mindset, and leadership qualities essential for effective management. He emphasized that performing arts encourage innovative thinking and the ability to look beyond conventional solutions. The creative mindset nurtured through artistic engagement, he said, equips management students to tackle complex business challenges with confidence and sensitivity.
Through the show “Colors of India,” the diversity of the nation came alive through its dance traditions, where every region expressed its identity through distinct movements, rhythms, costumes, and emotions. From powerful and energetic steps celebrating harvest and community life to gentle, flowing movements reflecting spirituality and devotion, the dances mirrored India’s varied landscapes, languages, and beliefs. Vibrant costumes adorned with mirrors, silk, paint, and intricate embroidery added layers of color, while diverse musical patterns revealed local histories and traditions. Together, these contrasting yet harmonious dance styles created a living portrait of India—one nation enriched by countless cultures moving to their own rhythms.
Addressing the gathering, Padma Shri Balwant Thakur stated that “Colors of India” provided students with a valuable opportunity to closely understand and experience the strength of their respective cultures. He noted that the process through which students were introduced to a wide range of dance forms was engaging and educative, offering immense scope for students to innovate, create, and imbibe leadership qualities through collective artistic expression.