JOIN USPromising a vivid display of art and culture from around the world, Delhi International Arts Festival (DIAF) is back with its latest edition. Stretched over a fortnight with performances slated all over Delhi and NCR, DIAF this time round brings dance, theatre, music, drama, magic shows, puppet shows and art exhibitions from over 30 countries including Pakistan, Hungary, Bangladesh, Czech Republic, Poland, Turkey, Iran, Greece and from different parts of India.
Performances to look forward to, will be a blend of traditional, contemporary, classical and fusion music and dance shows; contemporary theatre; film screenings of international and indigenous directors; visual arts, comedy and puppet shows. DIAF 2012 opens on October 27 at Purana Qila with performances of Sufi musicians from India, Pakistan, Iran and Turkey.
Also included on the same night is a session of electrifying, exquisite jazz which will see troupes from Poland, Norway and Pakistan as well as India. The Electronic Konark Band will perform along side Pakistan’s most famous and dynamic drummer Louis Pinto, while jazz pianist and composer Marcin Wasilewski Trio from Poland will showcase their talent too.
Prathibha Prahlad, the well-known exponent of Bharatnatyam, the festival’s founder-director says, “DIAF aims at establishing India as a global destination for the arts and at driving cultural tourism into India. This edition with all its fervour is back to buzz the City with its exemplary display of powerful performances by international and Indian artists.”
Some of the highlights of the festival include the ‘The Killing of Dussana’, a unique and unprecedented fusion of flamenco from Spain and kathakali. The jugalbandi will be an amalgamation of dance and theatre, tackling recurrent issues – be it in Asia or European society: violence against women.
Acrobats, exotic animals, clowns and much more - will form a part of a wooden circus from Czech Republic. It promises to be a dazzling show full of energy and perfect timing.
Special effects from classic 19th century European Marionette Theater will be the highlight of the circus. The puppet show directed by Luis Montoto will be followed by a performance by Cimarron music band.
Some of the Indian artists who will perform during the festival include sarod player Arnab Bhattacharya from Kolkata; sitarist Sahana Banerjee from Pune; shehnai player Lokesh Anand from Lucknow; violinists Anupriya Deotale and Danish Ali from Delhi; pianist Deepak Shah from Mumbai; and Delhi based flautists Prasanna Brothers.
Dancer to perform include Prasiddha Dance Repertory from Bangalore; Shankara Nanda Kalashetra and Ananda Shankar Jayant and group Navarasa) from Hyderabad; Ileana Citaristi and group from Odisha; Kanaka Sudhakar and group and Sunanda Banerjee and group from Delhi.
The festival opens on October 27 at Purana Qila, 6 pm and will continue till November 10.