Delhi International Arts Festival comes back
It's time once again for the best artists from around the world to congregate in Delhi to perform before Delhi's enthusiastic audiences. The 12th edition of the iconic Arts Festival – Delhi International Arts Festival will be launched on December 1, at the historic Purana Qila.
In keeping with Government of India's focus on Look East-Act East and neighboring countries, DIAF will witness spectacular performances from Korea, China and Sri Lanka, hitherto unseen in India.
A historical milestone at the opening will be the Korean presentation – Echo of North– South Korea presented by South Korea, which is representative of the beginning of diplomatic ties between the two Koreas.
The Chinese Drum Opera from Shanghai is a first with dancer- drummers who reverberate the sounds of the East. India's Akram Khan will present an exciting rhythmic ensemble.
"Art sensitises, art harmonises and art unifies people and countries", says Prathibha Prahlad, Founder Festival Director. "Delhi International Arts Festival exemplifies Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam in its truest essence and is therefore necessary for the artistes and the audiences."
This philosophy has inspired the multi-art, multi-venue Delhi International Arts Festival (DIAF) which is now all set to hold its twelfth edition from December 1–10 at various venues in the national capital region of Delhi.
The festival is organised by the Forum for Art Beyond Borders, a registered non-profit and non-governmental trust working in the field of art and culture. Renowned dancer/guru who conceptualized this Festival, Prathibha Prahlad is honoured with a postal stamp for her path-breaking work in this field
The principal aim of DIAF is to re-instill pride in the country's rich cultural heritage and diverse cultural practices, while simultaneously inviting artistes from all over the world, DIAF has exposed Indian audiences to art forms from all over the world and changed the landscape for art presentations in Delhi, getting recognition by the 'International Festivals Network' as among the 15 most important festivals in the world.
The Government of India has released a Special First Day Cover and Postal Stamp in recognition of the vast and deep impact DIAF has had in the presentation and consumption of arts in India.
The art and cultural feast will be held in over 20 venues in Delhi NCR over two weeks, reaching out to all kinds of audiences and art connoisseurs. It encompasses several segments such music, dance, theatre, puppetry, poetry, literature, visual arts, e-creativity, films (mostly art/artist based international films or centenaries), both international and national.
The venues this year include the historic Purana Qila,India Habitat Centre, the Central Park in Connaught Place, Triveni Kala Sangam, Alliance Francaise de Delhi, and Instituto Cervantes on Hanuman Road, India Islamic Centre, the Crafts Museum in Pragati Maidan, Marwah Studios in Noida, Sahitya Akademi and some schools under the DIAF Schools Initiative.
Delhi International Arts Festival has gained global recognition as a 'Brand India' projection of cultural diplomacy and cultural tourism.
With Kumbh being accorded the Intangible Heritage status by UNESCO, the Closing Ceremony of DIAF 2018 will be around the theme of Khumbh Mela. Film Screenings, talk shows, seminars, folk dances from 6th to 9th December apart, 9th December will have a plethora of Great gurus and Acharyas and spiritual leaders of different faiths speak on –'Kumbh : Religion, Spirituality or Life Force.' Swami Avdeshanand Giri, Swami Parmathamanda, Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Swami Srivatsa Goswami, Rinponche TaiSitupa, Reverend Vikas Massey, Dr, Imam Ahmed Umer Ilayasi will be present on the occasion.
As a platform for cultural diplomacy, DIAF has also done yeoman service in collaborating with ministries of foreign governments, embassies, cultural centres, and art producers from around the world to bring to India the best performers and performances.
DIAF had organised 'Africa in India' festival when the Africa Summit took place in India in 2015. In 2016, DIAF showcased BRICS cultural festival at Nehru Park. In 2017, DIAF organized ASEAN Festival at Qutub Minar for the closing ceremony.
DIAF has also attracted VIPs from overseas in previous years. South African Minister Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi came to attend the inauguration of the 11th Delhi International Arts Festival.
DIAF was founded by celebrated Indian Bharatanatyam dancer Prathibha Prahlad who is its Director. A multi-faceted personality, she is a performer, teacher, choreographer, researcher, cultural visionary, arts administrator, author and a culture- feminist activist. Her work in the field of arts is profound in contemporary dance history.
Her contribution to the arts field goes much beyond her own trail-blazing dance career which has taken her to prestigious platforms all over the world. Prathibha Prahlad has performed in all the prestigious International festivals in over 85 countries and has given more than 3000 performances in India.
