Rhythm of Bangladesh: diverse dance forms
VognoDuut887
Documentary on diverse dance forms
Ershad Kamol
Khalid Mahmood Mithu's latest documentary titled Rhythm of Bangladesh
has been recently released. The documentary is a compilation of dance
performances. The documentary was launched at the Bangladesh China
Friendship Centre on November 10. Dora Rapold, the ambassador of Switzerland
in Bangladesh, inaugurated the DVD. Faruque A Chowdhury and Dr. Christian
Raitz Von Frentz, the development adviser, Delegation of the European
Commission to Bangladesh, were special guests at the programme. The DVD
launch was a part of the Swiss Festival that ended recently.
Mithu's documentary does not only depict the dance forms of Bengalis,
the major ethnic group in Bangladesh, but also dance forms of the several
minority groups. The dance performances in the documentary represent the
diverse multicultural heritages in Bangladesh.
Besides five performances by Bengali artistes, dance performed by
members of ethnic minority groups living in different corners of the country
are included in the documentary: 'Candle Dance' of the Marma, 'Biju Festival
Dance' of the Chakma, 'Wedding Dance' of the Santal, 'Children Dance' and
'Patriotic Dance' of the Garo, 'Patriotic Dance' of the Tanchangya, 'Kong
Krem Dance' of the Khashi, 'Korom Dance' of the Bihari Tea Garden workers,
'Cow Slaughter Dance' of the Mru, 'Bottle Dance' of the Tripura, Dance Drama
by Monipuri artiste, 'Hunting Dance' of the Pangkhu, 'Joom Cultivation
Dance' of the Khiang, 'Bamboo Dance' of the Bom, and 'Soilg' Dance of the
Marma.
The alarming thing is that Mithu introduced the ethnic minority groups
as "tribes" in his documentary. According to anthropologists these groups
are not tribes as they have their own distinctive, independent cultures.
The director claims that the masses in our country are not fully aware
of the diverse dance forms practiced by the ethnic minorities, as the forms
are not frequently performed. To quote him, "I had to struggle to make this
documentary. For instance the traditional 'Shoilg Dance' of the Marma
community is performed only during the burial of a person highly revered in
their society. The artistes never perform it for mere entertainment. Again
in case of the 'Hunting Dance' of the Pangkhu I had to go to the remote
areas."
'Hunting Dance' by Pangkhu performers (Left) and 'Cow Slaughter Dance'
of the Mru
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