Vibrant cultural performances based on life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda marked the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of the Indian spiritual leader in the American capital.
Enthralling performances by eminent artists from across the US marked the occasion on Wednesday at the prestigious Kennedy Center here, which was attended by a large number of Indian-Americans, diplomats and followers of Vivekananda.
Historian Sugata Bose shared his thoughts on the Indian spiritual icon through his mesmerising teaching and speeches.
It was a packed house at the Center's Terrace Theater, despite Wednesday being a working day in the national capital.
Performances included songs from Vivekananda Oratorio, Vedanta Society of Southern California; "Dance into the Light" solo bharatanatyam by Vidhya Subramanian and "Raag Yaman Kalyan: An inspiration for Amity" by Alif Laila.
Among other renditions were "Takademe" India Meets the West: Concord of Civilizations by Alicia Graf Mack of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Maitreem Bhajathe Friendship wins hearts by the Dakshina Dance Company.
Addressing the gathering the Indian Ambassador to the US, Nirupama Rao, said Swami Vivekananda was one of India's earliest cultural ambassadors, a passionate and charismatic proponent of Indian spiritual values, philosophy, thought, and culture to the outside world.
Organised by the Indian Embassy, the event was one of the largest celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda in the US.
