Being the best folk dancer in our town, my uncle is always on calls to perform or arrange folk dances at traditional and religious ceremonies, or some wedding or other auspicious occasion.

The folk dancers used to be in great demand when there were traditional shows and competitions and folk songs and dances were the main items at fairs and religious ceremonies, but now, with the new fast and mixed music and dance shows taking over the old ones and people paying for such dances, the folk dancers are limited to a few ceremonial programmes where they are paid very little.

Though some old fogeys in our locality try their best to revive old traditions and encourage handicrafts and folk dancers and singers by arranging regular shows, the young generation would rather go to the next town to watch hip-hop, rock or rap singers cat-wailing and dancers doing acrobatics!