Turongomi returns from Dance Xchange: The Philippine International Dance Festival 2019

The cultural delegation team of Turongomi recently returned from Dance Xchange: The Philippine International Dance Festival 2019 organised in Manila. The team was led by Pooja Sengupta, Artistic Director, Turongomi. The other two members were Susmita Lopa and Lopa Adhikari.  On April 26, members of Turongomi attended the opening ceremony, the dance parade and the red carpet of the festival. Turongomi was proud to represent Bangladeshi dance at this esteemed platform for two consecutive years.

After the opening ceremony, members of Turongomi performed on Kazi Nazrul Islam’s Ami Purobo Desher Puro Nari, directed and choreographed by Sengupta. The same afternoon, Sengupta conducted workshop on traditional Dhamail Dance. Nearly 1, 200 Pilipino dance instructors attended the workshop. On April 27, members of Turongomi went to Olotayan Island for a dance outreach and staged a performance of Sundori Komola there.

That same evening, they performed on the song at the main venue of the festival at the Capiz Provincial Park. On the occasion of International Dance Day, Sengupta took part at the Unity Dance along with other choreographers and heads of the delegations of other International teams. In the evening, members of Turongomi staged a portion of their popular production, Anamika Sagorkonna, at the closing ceremony. On April 30, Sengupta met His Excellence Asad Alam Siam, Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Philippines at the Bangladeshi Embassy in Manila. Turongami’s trip to Manila was sponsored by Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited and SMC’s brand, Joya.

Apart from Bangladesh, other countries that took part in the festival were Belgium, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan and Philippines.  The festival was organised under Presidential Proclamation 154 by National Commission for Culture and the Arts, while the co-organisers were UNESCO, ITI and The Province of Capiz. The event was designed and directed by Dr Shirley Halili Cruz, Chairman, National Committee on Dance, NCCA.