DIAF charms Dilliwalas with dance, music and culture

Revellers around India Gate couldn’t have asked for a better Friday evening than the attractive lineup of dance performances that capped off the Delhi International Arts Festival (DIAF). In its Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav edition this year, the DIAF underscored its theme ‘Where Bharat Meets India’ with a talented crop of artistes. Joining forces with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the festival highlighted the rich dance and musical heritage of India.


A celebration of dance and culture: The closing ceremony kicked off with Bharatnatyam dance performances titled Guhya and Jaladara and was followed by an Odissi dance performance titled A Drop In The Ocean.The evening was anchored by the two mythological showcases directed by Ramli Ibrahim and Santanu Mallick, respectively. Ramli Ibrahim and Gajendra Panda’s Jaya Ram, performed by the Sutra Dance Company, became the highlight of the evening.


It’s been nothing short of magic: Prathibha Prahlad
The guests at the event included Meenakshi Lekhi, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Vinay Sahastrabuddhe, President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, and Priyanka Chandra, Director of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Speaking about the performers and artistes who turned up this year, Founder and Festival Director, Prathibha Prahlad said, “This year the DIAF witnessed many thematic productions. The whole idea was to take the arts where the masses went, and I can say that it’s been nothing short of magic.” Speaking about the cultural relevance of DIAF, Meenakshi Lekhi said, “Delhi International Arts Festival is so institutionalised that Dilliwalas look forward to it every winter.”