Since 2007, the Delhi International Arts Festival has been bringing to the city some of the best cultural performances from across the world.
This year, the festival opened at the magnificient Purana Quila with a multi-syled classical dance production of Vande Mataram directed by Prathibha Prahlad, who is also the founder and festival director. The evening continued with a Bamboo orchestra from Taiwan and acts by artistes from Israel and Egypt.
The international segment of the DIAF this year has a “Look East” segment, which will include performances by the Chongqing National Opera from China’s Sichuan province, “Lovebird Spears” — an Opera, Martial arts and Chinese Drums performance from Taiwan, Taiwanese Bamboo Orchestra, Legong dance from Indonesia, and a cross-cultural band from Singapore.
The “Look West segment”, meanwhile, includes famous bands from USA, Israel, Czech Republic, Poland and Turkey; Flamenco music from Spain, Salsa from Mexico, contemporary dance theatre from Portugal and France and Tap dance from the United Kingdom.
Performances from Central Asia will include music and dance from Kyrgyzstan and Russia.
The SAARC region will be represented by theatre from Pakistan and an art exhibition by Preema Nazia Andaleeb of Bangladesh. The festival also features two special weekends called “Welcome Africa” and “Africa in India”, on the side lines of the Africa Summit that is taking place in the city. Countries such as Egypt, Ghana, Ethiopia, Zambia, Nigeria, Congo, Uganda and Kenya will perform at the DIAF as part of a public outreach program at Nehru Park.
The festival, which will continue till November and cover multiple venues across the NCR, is being organised by Prasiddha Foundation and Forum For Art Beyond Borders.
The festival will continue till November and cover multiple venues across the NCR
