Topic 1: Dogri folk dance

Why in News?

The union government of India conferred Padma Shri award to Jammu’s Dogri folk dancer Romalo Ram.

What is Folk Dance?

Folk dance are generally a type of dance that is a vernacular, usually recreational, expression of a past or present culture.

Details of Dogri folk dance:

• The dance is folk dance of Duggar region of Jammu.
• This dance is performed in social gatherings and functions.
• It is generally performed by a group of artists whose main leader sings the song as well as dances while others are in the sitting position providing beats of Drums and Chimta.
• There are other varieties of this dance with the men and women or only women performing dance in groups to the music of some famous folk song in colourful traditional dresses.

The other famous Folk dance of Jammu and Kashmir is:

• Kud Dance
• Dumhal Dance
• Rouf Dance
• Bhand Pather
• Hafiza Dance
• Bhand Jashan

Topic 2: Ratle Hydro Power Project

Why in News?

The government on Monday announced diversion of Chenab River water through diversion tunnels at Drabshalla in Kishtwar district to expedite the 850-MW Ratle Hydro Electric Project in Jammu & Kashmir.

Details of Ratle Hydro Electric Project:

• It is an 850 MW run-of-river hydroelectric power project being built on the Chenab River in the Kishtwar District of Jammu and Kashmir.
• It comprises of a 133-metre-tall and 194.8-meter-long concrete gravity dam, a diversion dam, and an underground powerhouse on the right bank of the river.
• The project is being developed by Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation (RHPCL), which was formed as a joint venture (JV) between Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) and India’s state-owned National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).

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