A first-of-its-kind Indian music and dance festival aimed to showcase the country's rich and diverse culture was kicked off in iconic Sydney Opera House here.
The 10-week festival "Confluence: Festival of India" was inaugurated by Union Tourism and Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma last night with spectacular joint performances by Indian and Australian artists.
Almost 2000 people attended the two-hour long show which showcased the rich and diverse culture of Indian music and dance along with Australian performers.
The festival, an initiative of Indian government supported by the Australian side, will run across seven cities including Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra and Adelaide.
Launching the festival at a gala reception organised by NSW government, Sharma said, "it is the first of its kind festival and it is the matter of pride for all of us today."
"From the glimpses you can make out what could be the strengths of this festival. It includes some of the finest elements on the tapestry of the rich Indian culture and civilisation," he said while asserting that it was high time that the two countries celebrated their relationship together.
He said that the two nations enjoyed strong relationship today which has strengthened and diversified over the years.
"It's our hope this festival will promote better understanding of Indian culture among different communities living here," Sharma added.
Present on the occasion NSW minister for ageing and disability John Ajaka said the initiative, announced in 2014 by visiting Prime Minister Narendra Modi here, is expected to bring people of both sides closer.
"The event is expected to be an event of quality which will surpass the expectations of the Prime Minister as well," Ajaka said, adding that the economic relations with India will grow further as it emerges as one of the world's largest economies.
Others who attended the event were Indian high commissioner Navdeep Suri, Indian consul generals of Sydney and Melbourne.
The concert which marked the launch of the festival included the famous Manipuri drummers, Sufi singing artist Sonam Kalra, odissi, Kathak and Bharatnatyam dancers, Australian musicians and aboriginal dancers who received a standing ovation from the jam-packed audience.
Sharma will now go to Canberra to be handed over two more antiquities bought by National Gallery of Australia from allegedly illegal art dealer Subhash Kapoor.
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