No longer willing to accept stereotypes, a new generation of inquisitive Iranians is arriving in droves at Tehran's palatial Niyavaran exhibition complex to draw a first-hand impression about India, widely seen as a country undergoing a rapid transformation.
On each day by mid-morning, crowds comprising mostly youth, begin to build up, soaking in the classy ambience, that is imparted by the majestic Niyavaran palace, the venue of a week-long Indian cultural festival in Iran.
Once home to the late Shah of Iran, the palace, is set against the backdrop of the Elburz Mountains, whose rugged slopes still bear some snow, despite the early summer heat.
Beneath the shade of mighty maple trees that tower over the venue's verdant lawns, students, couples and families can catch a glimpse of some of the festival's highlights — a tourism exhibition in one corner, and under the white row of pavilions, an Indian food festival, which, expectedly has become a big draw.
Many are drawn to the Indian film festival, where contemporary classics, such as Kamal Hasan's Chachi 420 and Nagesh Kuknoor's Dor are on show.
But not all who arrive at the sprawling complex are there simply to have fun. While lauding India's rich cultural tapestry, many air their perceptions about Indian society and politics, which are not necessarily flattering.
“I have heard that a certain section of Indians face discrimination on account of their caste. Why has India not still been able to resolve this horrific problem,” asks Solmaz Eikder, who works for a local magazine. Her friend Mohammad Fard is worried about the communal situation in India, and is curious to know whether religious intolerance in India has become widespread.
Mr. Fard is also deeply interested in Sufi music and is pleased to learn that his favourite musical form has now become widely popular among the Indian youth. The couple decides to attend the late evening Santoor performance, by Pandit Bajan Sopori, which is part of the music component of the festival here. A Rajasthani folk ensemble, led by Bundu Khan Langa, is also performing on most festival evenings at Tansen garden, named after the iconic Mughal-era singer.
Many among the youth are keen to learn about prospects of pursuing in India, higher education, especially in hi-tech areas such as software engineering and biotechnology. Some are surprised when an organiser tells them that nearly 8,000 Iranian students are currently studying in India, and aspiring Iranian scholars can pitch for 67 dedicated governmental scholarships that are offered annually.
At the exhibition, many Iranians, especially women, flock to the stalls where cosmetics based on Ayurveda are on show. Those who are more knowledgeable about the science point out that the ancient system of Persian medicine drew heavily from the Ayurvedic system, which was integrated with the medicine system of Greece practised by the Nestorian Christians.
Resonating strongly with the continuously evolving state of Indo-Iran relationship, the theme of the week-long festival is “continuity in change.” The festival is also dedicated to the memory of Rabindranath Tagore, whose seventy-first birthday was celebrated in Tehran in 1932.
