Oman participates in UDEAR dance event

MUSCAT: A London-based organisation known as Hiddonidol organised a Universal Dance Record (UDEAR ) Festival by which history was created by the largest gathering of 11,560 Bharatanatyam dancers across the world who took part in the record creation performance at the same day at the same time with a view to paying tribute to farmers. The Sultanate of Oman was selected to participate in this grand global event.

This festival was held recently. The Oman UDEAR dance event took place in accordance with the already set uniform timing at Al Noor Al Malakia Hall in Al Multaqa, Sohar. Sohar was the only city in which the dance festival was held in Oman. Other countries like United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Ghana, United Arab Emirates and so on also participated in this grand historic event.

In India, it took place in several states including Tamil Nadu considered as the seat of Bharatanatyam. In Sohar, 26 participants performed this dance.

The song was taken from the compositions of Chinnaswamy Subramania Bharati also known as Mahakavi Bharthiyar and cho- reographed by Balambal, a veteran classical dancer of Kalakshetra.

Githaa Ravishannkhar, director, Sohar Institute for Music and Arts said in her welcome speech that this grand Bharatanatyam dance performance is forming a part of global level largest Bharatanatyam performance with a view to creating a Guinness World Record by 10,000 plus dancers at the same time all over the world.

She felt proud that Oman is par- ticipating in this record creation. Asia Book of Records already approved this festival on the date of the festival itself.

Sheikh Anis Mohammed Al Mamaary, the CEO of Oman Education & Training Investment Co. was the chief guest and gave felicitation address and certificates to the participants. The other special guests present in the festival were Rameshgopal, CEO of Sohar Steel Group, Dr Rajiv Tandon, the chair- man of Indian Social Club, Sohar, Surya Muduli, general manager of the Royal Garden Hotel, Ravishannkhar, Group Financial Adviser, Sohar Steel Group of Companies and Hiddenidol nominee Dr Govindarajan were present as witnesses and local organisers. Aburva Govindarajan, a student of Indian School Sohar was the coordinator for this event in Oman.

Balakumar, the Hiddenidol CEO, congratulated the organising committee at Oman for their enthusiasm and wonderful efforts for holding this festival especially Sohar Institute for Music and Arts for their full involvement and commitment. This institute conducts classes in Classical Dance, Carnatic and Hindustani Music.

Sohar Steel Group provided financial support to this event.