Cultural diplomacy all about blending cultures: ICCR DG

Dhrupad music incorporated into a choreographed Mohiniyattam work, a tandem of classical ballet, Kathak and Flamenco or even sharing of stage space by Qawali troupes from Pakistan, Turkey, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Sounds unique?
Well, that's the new definition of 'cultural diplomacy' according to Suresh K Goel, Director General, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
"It is not mandatory that the audience in India will only enjoy classical art forms or the new generation will only enjoy contemporary forms, we need to experiment, exchange and then enjoy," Goel told PTI in an interview.
The ICCR, he says, is undertaking efforts to ensure that various art forms in India reach audiences worldwide while people within India get opportunities to witness and enjoy the different art forms across the world.

"The latest programme we conducted was a unique musical arrangement with Los Angeles-based Grammy nominee Donna Summer who has also created music for Whitney Houston," says Goel.

Another recent programme by the cultural body featured work by musician Mac Quayle who seamlessly brought together a unique blend of world music with Kerala rhythms, Dhrupad and Rabindra sangeet.
"This was perhaps for the first time Dhrupad has been incorporated into a Mohiniyattam choreographic work. So that's how we blend different art forms and hence different cultures," Goel elaborates.
ICCR does not just aim to facilitate or ensure Indian cultural penetration into other countries but also aims to create a dialogue and hence facilitate exchange of cultures.