National 7 (Spotlight Weekly)

Perfection In Rhythm

Korean dancers performed traditional Korean dances showing their rhythmic perfection

By A CORRESPONDENT

Although Nepal and Korea are geographically far away, they share certain commonalities in dance and culture. Korea is no new country to Nepal as many electronic and other Korean brands are popular in Kathmandu. Some of Korean electronic brands are household names in Nepal as Nepalese prefer Sam Sung electronic appliances as well as Hyundai and Kia cars. From mobile phones to cars, urban Nepalese are enjoying the technological achievements made by Korea.

Interestingly, only a few people know that the traditional Korean musical instruments also have similar sounds and rhythm like those that are used here. At the initiative of the Korean Embassy, Nepalese audiences got opportunities to taste the traditional Korean musical instruments and dance performance in the capital last week.

With the initiative of Korean Embassy Kathmandu, Son Kyung Dance Company preformed various kinds of musical performance and dance. Supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Korea, the traditional dance program was organized to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Korea-Nepal diplomatic ties.

“This musical performance is a part of the program organized to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Kore-Nepal diplomatic ties,” said Park Sang-hoon Korean ambassador to Nepal. Korea and Nepal have always maintained good relations.

In front of jam-packed crowd at the Birendra International Convention Center, Korean dance groups displayed their programs for more than one and a half hours giving certain joy and pleasure to music lovers.

The dance performance include solo and groups. Based on the rhythm of drum, the dance attracted audiences. Despite the complication of language, the rhythm of musical instrument did not make any difference to the common people.

Presented by professional Korean dancers, all eight items presented had different nature and rhythm. Among the performance include Sul-Jang-Co, which is derived from the traditional performance of the farmer’s dance; Nong-Ak with the skirt hems tried to their waist, and beautiful dancers dancing to the exciting rhythm of hourglass drums on the shoulders extracted rapt attention from the audience.

Chun-Ang-Jeon (Court Dance) is the representative Korean court dance, which is performed by either male or female. The soft and graceful dance sequence expresses in colors of the nightingale and is performed on mat woven with flower designs.

Solo dance Sal-Pu-Ri is also a performance with excellent combination of instrument and body rhythm. Sal-Pu-Ri denotes a rhythmic cycle used in the shaman music of Southwestern province of Korea.

Korean dances have certain delicate-ness and complexities. In every performance, a dancer has to show his/her talent combining body rhythm with the musical instruments. In a group dance, the dancers show complicated sequential performance.

MAITI’S SHOW

Women, girls and children of Maiti Nepal put up a marvelous cultural program at the Royal Nepalese Academy (RNA) hall on June 27 in Kathmandu.

Maiti Nepal's show : Great cause

With the intention of presenting to the public the musical and cultural talents learned by them, the Maiti Nepal had organized the show. A number of group dances, an orchestra and singing were performed on stage by the girls.

“This is a marvelous show by girls who have seen the darkest side of life so early on,” said Rabin Sharma, popular singer and announcer of the program.

Apart from various cultural shows, Prabha Bhetwal, a grade four student, who is staying at Maiti Nepal’s shelter home, released her first solo album including eight songs written and composed by leading lyricists and musicians of the country.

“I was gladly surprised by the manner these girls put up their performance. I extend deep gratifications to the Maiti Nepal for engaging in such a pure job of rescuing and rehabilitating our girls, who have been forced to suffer such hardships,” said national poet Madhav Prasad Ghimire.

Anuradha Koirala, president of Maiti Nepal, said that she decided to stage the cultural show to inject confidence among her girls. “Music and dance will certainly boost their self-confidence,” she said. Likewise, Maiti Nepal’s general secretary Bishwo Ram Khadka highlighted the organization’s activities and its continuing work in rescuing and rehabilitating girls.

Maiti Nepal is the most renowned NGO of Nepal, which is involved in prevention and rehabilitation of girls who are sold to work in brothels in India. It also has shelter homes where hundreds are staying and learning different skills.