Desert storm in the capital
17 May 2012 1:48 AM GMT
Sitting here in Delhi, we often get a glimpse of cultures of other countries. The Kuwaiti Cultural Week, by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), in the Capital is one such.
'People of India and Kuwait share historical traditions which are vividly reflected in our architectural patterns, traditional dresses, festivals and rituals. The Gulf region where Kuwait is geographically situated has been an important destination for Indian trade for a millennium and there is enough evidence to establish arrival of Indian traders in this region on their way even to Africa and North to Mediterranean', said Dr Suresh Goel, director general, ICCR. Â
'The week-long programmes in Delhi and other cities of India would highlight what we share with each other and how these common traditions can further reinforce our strong and friendly ties,' added Goel.
The Kuwait Cultural Week opened with an extravagant exposition of Kuwaiti art, textiles and handicrafts at the Lalit Kala Akademi.
A section devoted to the maritime history of the country featuring replicas of ancient schooners and diving and trading vessels drew visitors. The sturdy boats with multiple white sails were crafted in wood.
Miniature boat crafting is an important cottage industry in the country.
'I am sure you will enjoy every bit of it, particularly the painting exhibition of Mona Abdul Wahab Algharabally, who is a renowned Kuwaiti artist and has brought about a unique blend between realism and modern art,' said Sami Mohammad Al-Sulaiman, Ambassaodor of Kuwait. Â
An exhibition of contemporary art exhibiting works by leading artists showed a perceptible Indian influence in art and idiom.
One can also experience the technique of ship building by Mustafa Abdullah Alharz and the art of Sadu — the process of knitting wool on handloom, a unique tradition of ancient craft which is being preserved by artists like by Hamad Awadh Al-Azami.
Another attraction of the festival was a concert by Kuwaiti TV band — one of the country's oldest all-man television band which has been performing both in the country and abroad since 1978.
At a concert on Tuesday, the 16-member band attired in the customary dishdasha sang traditional sea and folk music to the beat of hand drums and a lyre-like string instrument.
'Three different genres of traditional music form the basis of the country's Spartan musical history. The Khammari is a slow music with heavy beats while the Samri is sung by a man and a woman. The Sot, a male music, is sung at the time of pearl diving on the coast with the musicians seated in a group. It is mostly vocal music. The Gadri is the devotional music,' said Habib Al Yahyouh, the leader of the Kuwaiti YV band.
'People of India and Kuwait share historical traditions which are vividly reflected in our architectural patterns, traditional dresses, festivals and rituals. The Gulf region where Kuwait is geographically situated has been an important destination for Indian trade for a millennium and there is enough evidence to establish arrival of Indian traders in this region on their way even to Africa and North to Mediterranean', said Dr Suresh Goel, director general, ICCR. Â
'The week-long programmes in Delhi and other cities of India would highlight what we share with each other and how these common traditions can further reinforce our strong and friendly ties,' added Goel.
The Kuwait Cultural Week opened with an extravagant exposition of Kuwaiti art, textiles and handicrafts at the Lalit Kala Akademi.
A section devoted to the maritime history of the country featuring replicas of ancient schooners and diving and trading vessels drew visitors. The sturdy boats with multiple white sails were crafted in wood.
Miniature boat crafting is an important cottage industry in the country.
'I am sure you will enjoy every bit of it, particularly the painting exhibition of Mona Abdul Wahab Algharabally, who is a renowned Kuwaiti artist and has brought about a unique blend between realism and modern art,' said Sami Mohammad Al-Sulaiman, Ambassaodor of Kuwait. Â
An exhibition of contemporary art exhibiting works by leading artists showed a perceptible Indian influence in art and idiom.
One can also experience the technique of ship building by Mustafa Abdullah Alharz and the art of Sadu — the process of knitting wool on handloom, a unique tradition of ancient craft which is being preserved by artists like by Hamad Awadh Al-Azami.
Another attraction of the festival was a concert by Kuwaiti TV band — one of the country's oldest all-man television band which has been performing both in the country and abroad since 1978.
At a concert on Tuesday, the 16-member band attired in the customary dishdasha sang traditional sea and folk music to the beat of hand drums and a lyre-like string instrument.
'Three different genres of traditional music form the basis of the country's Spartan musical history. The Khammari is a slow music with heavy beats while the Samri is sung by a man and a woman. The Sot, a male music, is sung at the time of pearl diving on the coast with the musicians seated in a group. It is mostly vocal music. The Gadri is the devotional music,' said Habib Al Yahyouh, the leader of the Kuwaiti YV band.
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