Uttar Pradesh dance troupe thrills Trinidad audience

(Credit: IANS) A scintillating performance by an Uttar Pradesh-based dance troupe has enthralled the audience at this Trinidad and Tobago capital.

Charkula Arts Academy dance troupe performed on Wednesday night to a packed audience at Divali Nagar. Uttar Pradesh was one of the main states from which the Indian diaspora in this country was sourced. Nearly 148,000 people came here from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar between 1845 to 1917 to work on sugar plantations.

Indian High Commissioner Malay Mishra gave a short address on Holi. The troupe has performed traditional Charkula and other Indian folks dances in India and abroad. After several performances in Trinidad, including Holi celebrations at the Gandhi Institute, it leaves Friday for Surinam, Barbados, Grenada and Montserrat.

"Barsane Ki Lathamar Holi" was performed in which the women hit the men hard with seven feet bamboo staffs, while the men tried to shield themselves. Another feature was the "Mayur Raas" dance which focuses on the love between Lord Krishna and Radha.

The troupe is led by Murani Lal Sharma. The troupe has performed before former US presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush.