It takes an initiative by the premiere broadcasting agency to present a programme so poignant, so ethnic and one that strikes a chord instantly because it is everything that you have grown up on. Piercing through the din of techno music and acrobatic dancing, Lok Rang, a programme held by Prasar Bharati on Wednesday evening at the Ganna Sansthan auditorium, warmed the cockles of many a heart.

A delectable mix it was of raspy Rajasthani folk melodies blending into the folklore of Bundelkhand. Award winning troupes from various states staged a colourful show to prove that nothing thrills like the country thump.

Kicking up the desert sand was Bundu Khan and group as they presented to the tune of ‘Gorband nakhralu’, a ballet that revolved around the camel. The colourful costumes, resounding percussion and throaty vocals combined to create an aura that transported the audience to the golden sand dunes in the land of romance and fantasy.

The troupe from Bundelkhand presented a rare ‘Raai’ and ‘Svaang’ holding attention of all with an act that touched the highs and lows of comedy and tragedy. The time was right for a swinging treat and what better could have come up than Gujarati artistes rocking the show with Daandiya. The cadence of music marked by the clickety-click of the vibrant sticks ensured every pair of feet of the audience was tapping to the rhythm. Daya Bhai Nakul of Amba Badi from Rajkot performed their way to the audience’s heart, almost inviting them to join in.

The grand finale was a colourful splash of dance and music, an Awadhi folk song ‘Holi khele Awadh maa Siya Ram’. Viewer frenzy was already high and the performance was accompanied by clapping and foot-tapping by the audience to the rhythm. Arti Pande, Rina Tandon and group sang the Holi at a pitch that was perfect to set the mood for the festival of colours that is just round the corner.