Tura, Jan 25: A 30-member team from the Pinggira Cultural Society in Garo Hills is all set to showcase the traditional Wangala dance at the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26.
The team, comprising 15 men and 15 women, left Tura on January 2 and has been rehearsing rigorously from January 4 to January 24, with daily sessions running from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Led by Ballian R. Marak from Tura, the troupe is representing Meghalaya as the sole contingent from the state.
Speaking exclusively to HubNews, Chesa Dona M. Sangma, a team member, expressed her excitement and pride. “It is a proud moment for me and all of us here. We are representing our beautiful Garo tribe and showcasing our tradition at the Republic Day parade. It fills us with pride when people ask about our tribe and we share our culture with them,” she said.
She added that the performance will be broadcast live on television and social media platforms, allowing people back home to watch and celebrate this achievement.
This is the second consecutive year that the Pinggira Cultural Society has been invited to perform at the parade. This year, a special train was arranged exclusively for artists from the Northeast, unlike previous years when normal train services were used. Other contingents representing the Northeast include groups from Nagaland, Mizoram, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Assam.
The artists are provided with travel, food, and accommodation by the organizers. Each participant receives ₹600 per day as practice fees, with an additional ₹6,000 for the final rehearsal and performance.
The Garo Wangala troupe, which has worked tirelessly to bring their tradition to the national stage, will return to Tura on January 27 after the Republic Day celebration.
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