Vientiane (Laos), Feb 10 (IANS) A three-day Indian cultural festival kicked off Monday in landlocked Laos with the aim of enhancing people to people contact, and increasing ties with the southeast Asian countries.

The cultural extravaganza “Festival of India” was inaugurated by Laotian Information, Culture and Tourism Minister Bosengkham Vongdara and Indian Culture Secretary Ravindra Singh in the National Cultural Hall here.
“This festival would enhance people to people contact, increase India’s cultural ties with the southeast asian countries and deepen the historical bonds,” said Singh, according to an official statement here.
Chennai-based Kalakshetra Foundation is performing Ramayana in ballet form, while an exhibition, and food and film festivals are also part of the event.
The festival will then travel to Cambodia (Feb 14-19), Vietnam (March 6-15) and Myanmar (March 17-21).

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