ODE TO THE LAND OF DIVERSITY
DIAF offers performances ranging from the purely traditional to the most contemporary expressions of all art forms
When it comes to experiencing the diversity and integrity of India, we look forward to the people who have carried forward the legacy of our culture as the culture of one of the world’s oldest civilization lies in its classical and folk arts whether it is Punjab’s Bhangda, Gujarat’s Dandiya or Tamil Nadu’s Bharatnatyam.
Among these great people conserving the real India is Padmashri Pratibha Prahlad, a well known Bharatnatyam dancer. She has drawn a line-of-confidence in social fabric and set up herself as an example in the man’s world.
Prasiddha Foundation and DIAF Director Padmashri Pratibha Prahlad will present 10th edition of Delhi International Art Festival from November 12 – 26.
The opening ceremony will take place at Puran Qila and the festival will have participants from India, Italy, China, Hungary, Venezuela, Spain, Turkey, Egypt, Norway, Taiwan, New Zealand, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, France, Mexico, Bangladesh, Iran, Germany, Portugal, UK , Belgium, South Africa and Israel.
Talking about her passion and dedication for dance she says, “I dance for myself. The day I cannot dance, I will give up. I had a surgery on my right knee. Doctors gave me a choice of resting the knee or living in a wheel chair. People are unforgiving of injuries to dancers. I cannot afford the rest period. I know the day after my performance my knee will be so swollen that I cannot even get off a flight. But I am willing to bear the pain.” It was when she decided to do something for people that she founded Delhi International Arts Festival (DIAF).
“Our mission is to be the most exciting, innovative and accessible festival of the arts in this part of the world, and thus promote the cultural, economic and social projection of India as a global soft power. The high visibility of India as a diverse, dynamic, peaceful, multicultural, refined and tolerant nation will also serve to attract potential investors from around the world,” said Pratibha Prahlad.
DIAF offers a non-discriminatory model for a festival with performances ranging from the most traditional to the most contemporary expressions of all art forms.
In keeping with the uniqueness and diversity of India’s artistic and cultural traditions, DIAF offers a huge bouquet of arts - with something for everyone’s taste and age.
DIAF wanted to demolish the myth of Bollywood as the torch bearer of Indian culture and to re-align people’s focus on the myriad art forms prevalent in each region in India, and thereby help revive and sustain these art forms and artistes.
Delhi International Art Festival - India’s ‘Signature Festival’ - is the longest multi arts, multi venue annual art and cultural festival. In keeping with Prime Minister Modi’s vision ‘Vasudeva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one large family), DIAF has strategically brought in groups from different parts of the world.
The International component of DIAF has a ‘Look East’ segment with performances by the Chongqing National Opera from the Sichuan province of China, Lovebird Spears, an Opera, Martial arts and Chinese Drums from Taiwan, Taiwanese Bamboo Orchestra, Legong and Sumatra dance from Indonesia, and a cross-cultural music band from Singapore.
‘Look West’ 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 include music and dance from Kyrgyzstan and Russia.
Jordan performs from the prism of West Asia art forms while SAARC will be represented by – theatre from Pakistan, dance from Sri Lanka and an art exhibition by Preema Nazia Andaleeb from Bangladesh.