India has launched a month-long festival in the Egyptian capital here, showcasing diversity of its culture, entertainment, arts, music and cuisine to build enduring partnerships between the two ancient civilisations.
The 'India by the Nile' festival includes a Bollywood workshop by Gilles Chuyen, a performance of music and dance called Bollywood fusion which is to be presented in collaboration with dancers of the Cairo Opera Ballet Company.
An exhibition of visual arts by Akshara showcasing calligraphy in crafts and a forum for Indian and Egyptian authors in conversation will be on display during the event, which began yesterday.
"We will also try to extend the horizons beyond the conventional boundaries of entertainment," Indian ambassador to Egypt Navdeep Suri said.
Suri, who served in Cairo 25 years ago, returned back to the city at a time when the Arab country is facing political tourmoil after the toppling of longtime dictator Hosni Mubarak following a popular uprising in 2011.
The turmoil of the past two and a half years redefined the relation and feeling Egyptians hold for number of countries as the feelings of the masses swing with every new development. But India is one country Egyptians still eye with a mixture of awe, amusement and hope, locals say.
For Egyptians the India of today represents an economical and political power which has managed to keep its tradition and heritage alive all along, they say.
"Collaborations between Indian artistes and their Egyptian counterparts will build enduring partnerships; experiences will be shared to build sustainable livelihoods through handicrafts; writers and intellectuals will exchange ideas on democracy, pluralism, economics and gender equality. And this would only be the beginning," Suri said.
The festival was made possible by numerous partners and in particular the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Egypt's Ministry of Culture, Cairo Opera House, El Sawy Cultural Wheel and Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
The Indian movies will be dedicated ample attention during the festival which is to be held in both Cairo and the second largest city Alexandria.
In the music section Indian Classical Vocalist Shubha Mudgal will present his art as well as Mrigya for World Music.
The Sriyah-Nrityagram Dance Ensemble will also present their art in the two cities.
A week will be dedicated to the Indian Cuisine as well as a special event for tasting Indian tea entitled Savour the Flavour.
