Kumkum Rani honoured with Nrityanchal Padak

On April 29, the renowned dance organisation Nrityanchal celebrated International Dance Day with a vibrant event. The programme was structured into three segments. The first part featured the award ceremony for the winners of the inter-class competition organised by Nrityanchal, where nearly 200 students were presented with awards.

The second segment of the event included the presentation of the Nrityanchal Padak 2024 in memory of Nrityanchal's co-founder, Muhammad Jahangir. Every two years, Nrityanchal honours individuals who have been quietly working in the remote areas of the country to preserve indigenous culture by presenting them with this award.

The award was presented by two of Nrityanchal's founding directors, Shamim Ara Nipa and Shibli Mohammad. This year, the award was conferred upon Shreemati Kumkum Rani Chando, a practitioner of Dhamaail dance.

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The third part of the event was a special dance performance to mark International Dance Day. Over 200 dancers participated, and Nrityanchal's artistes delivered a captivating performance to songs from various countries, which greatly impressed the audience. The event concluded with the audience and performers coming together to celebrate International Dance Day, dancing and singing to the rhythm of the drum.

Nrityanchal's two directors and Ekushey Padak-winning dancers, Shamim Ara Nipa and Shibli Mohammad, said, "Nrityanchal's founder, Muhammad Jahangir, expressed his deep commitment to his country through his writings. He believed in truth and integrity, loved uniqueness, and embraced originality. He always wished for Nrityanchal to promote the indigenous dance forms of the country accurately. In honouring the memory of Muhammad Jahangir, this year, Nrityanchal has awarded the Nrityanchal Padak 2024 to Shreemati Kumkum Rani Chand, a distinguished figure in Bengali traditional folk music and dance. We wish this talented artiste continued success and feel honoured to present her with this award."

It is worth noting that in 2022, the 'Nrityanchal Padak' was awarded to Abdul Halim Boyati, a renowned practitioner of Jari dance who has kept the tradition of Jari alive and thriving for over 50 years. He is the leader of the 'Paharpur Unnayan Jari Dal' in Netrokona.

Born on September 10, 1952 in Berigaon village, Sunamganj district, Kumkum Rani Chand became immersed in the art of Dhamaail dance through her devotion to the songs of Vaishnav poet Radharaman. As a child, she would accompany her mother to wedding rituals and would sing the ceremonial songs she heard there. 

Over time, she developed a deep love for Dhamaail, eventually establishing herself as a distinguished performer of this art. At just 12 years old, she married a highly respected Kirtan artiste, and the musical environment of her husband's family further nurtured her journey in the development of Dhamaail.

Dhamaail is a vast musical genre with many forms of expression that are performed in ceremonial contexts. Significant forms include Bandana, Asor, Banshi, Jalbhora, Jal-Dhamaail, Gourrup, Shyamrup, Bishched, Kunjsojja, Kunjbichched, Khedbishched, Man, Manbhonjan, Sakhat (expression of sorrow), Milan, and Bidaai. 

There are also songs for welcoming the dhol, songs for dressing the bride and groom, songs for preparing the bridal hair, and many other ceremonial songs. All of these are Dhamaail songs by Radharaman. Additionally, Dhamaail features Karika Dhamaail, Banshi Karika, Bishched Karika, and Jalbhora Karika.

Kumkum Rani has devoted considerable time and effort to mastering these forms. She has a collection of nearly 700 Radharaman Dhamaail songs. Many folk artistes come to her to learn from her vast repertoire.