The much awaited Delhi International Arts festival (DIAF) began Tuesday amid excitement, cultural performances and creative energy.
Conceptualised by the ministry of culture and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the festival, in its eighth edition, will see performances by over 200 artists from 14 nations.
"It is indeed a happy moment for all of us present that Delhi International Arts Festival is taking place...It is time that Indians took pride in their culture and the arts and passed on this invaluable heritage and culture to the future generations," Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said at the launch ceremony.
The festival will encompass performances from countries including Pakistan, Iran, Austria, Turkey, Spain, Israel, Chile, Malaysia, Hungary and Russia. It will host performances in dance, music, theatre and puppetry among others.
Highlighting the uniqueness of the DIAF, festival director Prathibha Prahlad said: "I believe that aesthetics can never be compartmentalised by forms or controlled by countries...Therefore we place traditional, folk, classical, contemporary forms together and invite the audience to enjoy the beauty and diversity of all these art forms."
As part of the DIAF, a specially curated North East Festival is also being organised. It will see participation from singer Ash King, actor John Abraham and boxer Mary Kom.
Being organised against the backdrop of the Purana Qila monument, DIAF will be held Oct 28 to Nov 11.