New Delhi, Apr 24 (KNN) The Festival of India in China will be celebrated from May 2014 to March 2015, showcasing the multiple facets of the country's art and culture such as handicrafts, textile weaves, modern Indian art, performing arts, Buddhist heritage, food, yoga and film festivals as well as tourism.
The Secretary, Union Ministry of Culture, Ravindra Singh launched the logo, posters and webpage for the festival here today, while the same was simultaneously launched in Beijing by Ambassador of India to Beijing, Ashok K Kantha, according to official data.
For starters, a 75 member Indian delegation led by Secretary Culture would be visiting China in the first two circuits beginning May-7, it said. Many MSME units are likely to get an opportunity to display their wares to the ever growing Chinese market.
Speaking during the launch of the promotional material, Singh said that pursuant to the mutual understanding reached during the visit of the Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang to India in May 2013 and that of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to China in October 2013, the year 2014 was designated as the India-China Year of Friendly Exchanges.
“As part of the Year of Friendly Exchanges, Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Embassy of India in Beijing, along with the Consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, are organizing the Festival of India in 12 cities in China,” he said.
The Festival of India in China covers a wide-range of events showcasing Indian performing arts, exhibitions of modern Indian art, visual and photographic exhibitions on Buddhist heritage of India and its links with China, food festivals, and film festivals, as well as events involving eminent Indian and Chinese scholars and writers. Business and tourism promotion events will also constitute key components of the Festival.
Further, Ministry of Culture Institutions namely Kalakshetra Foundation, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Sangeet Natak Akademy, Kathak Kendra, National Gallery of Modern Art, Sahitya Akademy would be participating in the Festival’s events.
In addition the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Department of Ayush and the Ministry of Tourism would be participating in the Film Festival, Yoga Festival and Food Festival.
The Festival of India in China will be celebrated in 4 circuits, circuit 1 covering Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing and Chengdu, Circuit 2 will cover Beijing, Kunming, Dali and Shenzen; Circuit 3 will cover Lhasa, Urumqui, and Hangzhou and Circuit 4 will cover Chongquing, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
While the classical dance program of Kalakshetra will cover Krishna Leela, Kolkali, Suppada, excerpts from Meenakshi Vijayam, Kalinga Narthanam and Thillana; the Sangeet Natak Akademy would be presenting a new composition by senior choreographer, Madhavi Mudgal comprising of six dance forms representing the diversity of India’s culture Bharatanatyam of Tamil Nadu (and the rest of southern India); Kathak, pre-eminently the dance of northern India; Odissi, from Odisha in eastern India; Manipuri from Manipur, the north-eastern State of India; Kathakali of Kerala at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula.
