The three-day (December 19-21) workshop created ripples among the local people who had scant knowledge about the splendid culture of the Mandis. The high point of the workshop was a cultural show by the Mandis of Pirgachha and the local cultural enthusiasts.

SEHD's programme opened the window of opportunity for many local students to learn about the Garos who migrated to the northern part of greater Mymensingh from the Indian states of Meghalaya and Assam about 500 years ago. They are called Garos as they live in the Garo Hills. A few ethnologists, however, opine that the Garos are the offshoot of the Mongolian aborigines as there is a physical resemblance between the two.

The Garos, once the follower of the ancient religion Sangsarek, are mostly Christians now. Nature has an immense significance in the matriarchal society of the Garos which was evident in every step of their dance and other performances.

Attired in traditional dress, Dokmanda in bright red, yellow and black combination and silver jewellery on forehead, ear, waist and toe, eight beautiful teenaged girls performed their traditional Jhum Dance-- Aa Ba Cha Aa. The beats of Dama (drum) and Aduri (the horn made of ox- horn) were the traditional accompaniments with the dance. The dance sequence was a vivid depiction of the ancient cultivation practices of the Mandis. Clearing the jungle, sowing seeds and protecting the crops from the sparrows and preparing rice, and then getting ready for the festival Wangala--the dance had the minute details of the agriculture-oriented lifestyle of the Mandis.

A dance item, titled Dukrushua, illustrated the intimate bond of the Mandis with the nature. Through the chirping of the doves, the sequence portrayed the friendly interaction of the birds with the sons of 'forest of Arden'. Nomul Roa was the tale of teenage girls and their joyous moments.

The highlight of the show was, however, the Chambul Mesha, the monkey dance. Two boys wore artificial tails on their back and literally whirled them by twisting their hips, mesmerising the crowd. This item amused the audience and sent them into fits of laughter. The local young kids were seen trying their best to perform the monkey-act!

After a romantic song, a lullaby dance titled Bisha Dim Dim depicted a Mandi mother trying hard to put her little baby to sleep. The local performances of songs and dances were performed during the intervals.

Philip Gain, director of SEHD, said, 'We have a colourful ethnic culture which needs preservation and popularising among the Bangalees. This venture is a miniscule effort out of eight such programmes to promote our culture.'

Namey Namey Methila meaning 'thank you' in Mandi language were the last words uttered by little performers to the audience at the end of the colourful interaction between the ethnic people and Bangalees.