SAARC folk festival in India's Chandigarh

The four-day South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) folklore festival, aimed at carrying forward the message of cultural exchange and gaiety between the member countries, enthralls the audience in Chandigarh in India's northern Punjab. SAARC in association with Union Territory administration organized this folklore festival. Eight countries including India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal participated in the festival showcasing their unique culture in the form of folk songs, dance and tales. Traditional dancers from Pakistan also performed in the festival and showcased their folk dance called 'Nabad' in front of the audience. The performers from Pakistan said that it is these types of festivals that could bring the two nations closer. The cultural performances also included Bauls, folklore from India's eastern Kolkata, Yaksh dance from southern Karnataka and folk songs from Punjab. The performers swathed in colourful traditional attire and the customary musical instruments echoed the unique culture of the regions.