Different yet so similar

from russia with love

Can there be anything common between Amber city of Rajasthan and Suzdal city of Russia, thousands of miles away from each other not only distance wise but culturally too?

Well, you’ll find not one but many striking similarities between the two places at the photo exhibition ‘India and Russia: Unity in Diversity’ at Russian Centre of Science and Culture.

Displaying pictures by a Russian journalist Evgenia Karmalito, the exhibition was inaugurated as a celebration of National Day of Russia in the City on June 8.

The pictures are an attempt to show a few commonalities in the local infrastructure as well as whole picturesque environment and unique atmosphere that are so characteristic to Suzdal and Amber.

“Both cities are situated around 230 km away from their capitals. During their glorious history, both cities were the capitals of regional princedoms. Today both are very famous tourist destinations, included in the so called Golden ring of Russia and Golden Triangle of India,” said Evgenia.

The history of Suzdal dates back to at least the year 1024, while Amber was founded by Meena Raja Alan Singh and it was a flourishing settlement as far back as 976. Both the cities have retained their old look and are admired by domestic and international travellers.

“The photographs will somehow help to understand the inner, spiritual causes of the well-known phenomenon and to find the reasons why Russia and India have been gravitating towards each other since time immemorial,” she said.

The photographs have been displayed in pairs with one picture of Amber and another of Suzdal, both on the similar theme. Such as temples in Amber and Churches in Suzdal; people with their cattle in both the places; breathtaking landscapes; elephant rides in Amber and horse cart rides in Suzdal. The exhibition depicts essential commonalities of thoughts, emotions, architecture and creative talent.
 
People of both nationals present on the occasion were also treated with Indian dance and music performances of folk dances of India by the artistes of the Song and Dance Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

From north to south, dances of all regions, including Santhal dance of Jharkhand and Rajasthani folk dance, were staged for an audience of all age groups. The concert ‘Congratulations, RUSSIA’ also had performances by students of various colleges which presented modern fusion dances, Indian and western dances and contemporary art performances.