Lalu welcomed with folk dance at memorial event
legislator Arun Kumar Yadav's father Bhuwaneshwar Singh Yadav. But when RJD president Lalu Prasad reached there, he was welcomed with "Launda Dance", a kind of folk dance popular in the Bhojpuri belt.
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The Launda Dance, popular in parts of Bihar, is performed exclusively by men dressed as women. It has long been a source of entertainment in rural festivities but is increasingly rare in modern times.
Lalu, who is battling serious health complications, travelled to Agiaon village earlier in the day to pay floral tributes to the late Bhuwaneshwar Singh Yadav. He joined havan rituals, offered prayers and wished peace for the departed soul.
What drew considerable attention was the choice of welcome. A video that has since gone viral shows colourfully attired male dancers performing to folk songs, aiming to please the RJD chief as he arrived in a van. Upon hearing of the performance, large numbers of local villagers gathered at the venue to watch and join in the festivities.
According to those familiar with the matter, Lalu has long enjoyed Launda Dance. The last such performance attended by him was in Sept 2023 at the official residence of his wife, former CM Rabri Devi, shortly after the RJD returned to power in alliance with the JD(U).
RJD spokesperson Chitranjan Gagan strongly defended the performance. "Launda Dance highlights the rich culture of the state. While he was the CM, Laluji initiated steps to keep alive the dying Launda Dance. Those opposing this folk dance have no idea of Bihar's rich culture," Gagan said on Saturday.
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