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An enchanted evening. That is
how the Embassy of India in Beijing, and India’s tourism office in the city describe the
gala being held tomorrow, to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of
India Tourism’s office in Beijing
a year ago. The evening function which focuses on the richness and appeal
of India’s soft power, and with its kaleidoscope of colours drawn from the
many-splendoured cultural heritage of that country, promises to bring to
audiences here, an attractive glimpse of fashion, dance, music and cuisine that
promises in its combination, to provide an enchanted evening.
Showcased during the evening
will be a stunning display of Indian ensembles designed by India’s top fashion designers (many of the
outfits are coming to China fresh
from the India Fashion Week and the Lakme Fashion Week held in the last
fortnight in New Delhi
and Mumbai). Included will also be ensembles designed by master craftsmen and
self-employed women in the informal sector, whose art and craft epitomizes the
timeless traditions of India’s
civilizational ethos. Choreographing the show will be Kaushik Ghosh, one of India’s leading
fashion choreographers who has more than 1500 fashion shows to his credit. The
show has been brought to China
courtesy of the Pearl Academy of Fashion in New Delhi. What is also special is that
the Indian ensembles will be displayed by Chinese fashion models which will be
a unique way of expressing the harmony between these two ancient countries.
That is not all. This is an
evening that combines fashion with much more. The classical dance forms of India are
famous around the world. And the gala tomorrow will offer performances in two
dance forms from the southernmost tip of India – the state of Kerala. This
state is the home of two ancient dance traditions – Mohiniattam –the dance of
the enchantress –and Kathakali – the dance drama which combines dance with
story-telling, replete with its special music and rich and colourful costumes.
The Mohinattam dance will be performed by Geetha Radhakrishna, one of India’s
foremost artistes in this dance form, while the Kathakali performance will be
by Kalamandalam Shiju Kumar and his troupe – all of them young artistes in
their twenties and thirties. And, in another expression of harmony, the troupe
will perform “Butterfly Lovers” (Liang Shanbo Zhu Yingtai) – an ancient Chinese
love story set in an equally ancient Indian dance form.
Indian cultural offerings are
incomplete without a display of famous Indian hospitality and Indian cuisine.
And, this evening is no exception. A team of master Indian chefs from the Taj
Hotels, Bangalore, have been flown in specially
into Beijing to
prepare a feast of delectable Indian food, and regional delicacies from all
parts of the country, for the enjoyment of the invitees. In fact, the
Beijing Raffles Hotel will offer a special Indian food festival between the 8th
and the 11th April at which these master chefs will display their
excellent culinary skills.
India
and China
have a strategic and cooperative partnership that encompasses a wide spectrum
of bilateral cooperation and dialogue on regional and international issues. The
deepening and expanding relationship between the two countries occupies
increasing attention and interest globally.
Tourism between the two
countries is a part of this expanding relationship. Tourist arrivals from China to India during the year 2007 were
1,24,000. The figure has grown during 2008, with increased connectivity, and a
continuing growth in trade and commercial relations between the two countries.
Press
& Information Section
Tel :
65323313
Fax :
6532 0287
April 6,
2009