New Delhi, April 8 (Inditop.com) The land of dragons opened its heart to the colours of India when Union External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna inaugurated the Festival of India in China.
“It is a pleasure and privilege to be amongst you in Beijing to inaugurate the Festival of India in China in this important year marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries,” Krishna said Wednesday, inaugurating the festival in an auditorium in the historical Forbidden City.
“The Festival of India will bring to the Chinese people a full spectrum of Indian culture and theatre. More than 30 Chinese cities will witness performances of various Indian classical dances, folk dances, classical music, martial arts and contemporary music,” Krishna added.
The opening ceremony began with a play based on the life of emperor Ashoka, “Uttar Priyadarshi”, choreographed by the eminent theatre director Ratan Thiyam. Emperor Ashoka, who underwent a dramatic change of heart after a major war, converted to Buddhism.
Krishna said as Buddhism “has played a major part in contacts and exchanges between the two nations for thousands of years, it is only befitting that we inaugurate the Festival of India in China with such a performance”.
The minister said he “hoped to carry on this momentum throughout the year and into the future”.
“The various activities to be undertaken in the Festival of India will serve as a platform to build stronger bridges between and create more awareness among our two people. I am confident this will aid in the further consolidation of the India-China relationship,” Krishna said.
The events would encompass a wide range of activities showcasing diverse forms of Indian art and culture, including traditional dance and music, contemporary dance, theatre, exhibitions, food festivals, film festivals, tourism road shows and Bollywood style extravangavas; given the popularity of Indian films in China.
Presentations would include events by well-known Indian maestros as well as upcoming and promising artists.
These include Kumudini Lakhia (Kathak), the Indian Ocean, Shiv Kumar Sharma (santoor), Hari Prasad Chaurasia (flute), and Leela Samson (Bharatnatyam) in the field of performing arts and Suhaila Kapur’s play “Mahim Junction”.
The closing ceremony will be held in October.
The Shanghai Expo, in which India is participating in a big way, will open May 2010.
