The Indo-Bahrain Dance and Music Festival kicked off last night with a mesmerising performance by award-winning Indian actor Shobhana and her troupe.
The second edition of the international festival, organised by the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS), is being held under the patronage of the Indian Embassy and supported by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca).
The festival marks 75 years of Indian independence as well as 75 years of BKS.
India’s Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan inaugurated the eight-day festival last night alongside Indian Ambassador Piyush Srivastava, Baca president Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and LuLu Group chairman M A Yusuffali.
Shobhana and her troupe left the audience spellbound with her classical Bharatanatyam performance.
Several prominent artists from Bahrain and India will be performing in the coming days.
The festival is convened by Prashant Govindapuram and directed by international acclaimed art connoisseur Soorya Krishnamoorthy.
“As the largest and one of the oldest Indian community organisations in Bahrain, BKS has done exemplary work in promoting and preserving Indian heritage and culture,” Mr Muraleedharan said.
“The festival showcases the rich heritage of our two countries as well as the historic connections and contemporary bilateral relations.
“Bahrain and India have close connections and our relationship is strong in all areas of co-operation, especially cultural and people-to-people ties stand tall and festivals like this validate such bonding.”
Meanwhile, BKS president P V Radhakrishna Pillai extended an invitation to all members of society to enjoy the festivities which include a Carnatic vocal concert by Sudha Raghunathan today at 8pm and the Agam Band featuring Harish Sivaramakrishnan tomorrow at 8pm.
“The idea behind this festival is to showcase Indian art forms to a multitude of communities in Bahrain,” Mr Pillai told the GDN.
“We have a rich tradition and history of dance and music which has evolved over the years and we want to project that here. We want people to come and enjoy this world-class festival as it promotes the rich Indian heritage and culture.”
Other top performers include popular ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas, Indian classical musician Ustad Rashid Khan, Bangalore-based Carnatic rock act Agam Band and Ravens Band from Bahrain.
The event, at the samajam premises in Segaya, continues until May 12 and is free for all, but reservation is required.
For more details and to reserve a place call 36129714.
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