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Cultural programmes/events organized by ICD Section during F.Y 2021-22
1.To Mark Mujib Year and Celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh, ICCR and Bangladesh High Commission organized a “Dance Performance” by Srishti Cultural Centre from Bangladesh on 3rd April 2021 at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.
2. As part of ICCR Alumni Connect Programme Indian Missions / Posts and Indian cultural centres abroad were asked to organize an International Video Blogging Contest on the theme “My impressions of India” or “What India means to me” to coincide with the celebrations of the Foundation Day of ICCR i.e 9 April 2021. This Video Blogging Contest was open exclusively for foreign residents who studied in India either on ICCR scholarship or under self-finance. We received entries from 33 countries and the best three entries had been selected for award of global prizes. On the eve of ICCR’s Foundation Day, cultural programmes were organized by Regional Offices.
3. On the request of Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) DG, ICCR had delivered a lecture on “Role OF ICCR in India’s Foreign Policy” on 29 July, 2021 at 10 am at ICCR Azad Bhavan , New Delhi, for the HCS Officers and Lecture demonstrations by empanelled artists of ICCR- Ms. Richa Jain (Kathak Dancer) and Shri R. Sridhar (Carnatic Violinist) were also organized at Azad Bhavan Auditorium, New Delhi for the HCS Officers.
4. The Council prepared and organized the Gala show (Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav) on 13 August 2021 at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi for celebration of 75 years of India’s Independence, showcasing India’s diversity, language, heritage, culture and potential. Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs was the chief guest on the occasion and it was also attended by Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State for Education and External Affairs and Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi, Minister of State for External Affairs and Minister of State for Culture. M/s. Teamwork conceptualized, choreographed and did selection of artists for this gala show with 18 different performing groups (162 musicians/singers/dancers) showcasing the vibrancy of the different regions, North, Northeast, East, West and South. The show was also video recorded and sent to all Indian Missions/Posts abroad for streaming on 15 August 2021.
5. Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Republic of Guatemala, El Salvador & Costa Rica organized a Joint Musical concert by the artist from Costa Rica - Mr. Manuel Obregon and Indian Singer & Composer -Sonam Kalra & group on 15 September, 2021 at Sushma Swaraj Bhavan (PBK), Delhi, on the occasion of the Bicentennial Anniversary celebration of Central American Countries, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs was the chief guest on the occasion. The groups also visited /performed at Satyajit Ray Auditorium, Kolkata on 18 September 2021.
6. A musical performance by Shri Raj Kumar Majumdar (Santoor Player) alongwith one accompanist (Tabla player ) was arranged on 9 October, 2021 at Hyderabad house during the lunch hosted by Prime Minister of India in honour of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark.
7. A performance by Ms. Ravinder Kaur - Folk Dance group (Empanelled with ICCR) was arranged on 9 October, 2021 at Delhi Golf Club.
8. A Rabindra Sangeeet Programme by Ms. Rini Mukherjee & group was arranged on 13 October, 2021 at 41 Meena Bagh, Krishna Menon Lane New Delhi
9. Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Korean Culture Centre India, Embassy of the Republic of Korea jointly arranged staging of a Musical Production “The Legend of Princess Sriratna” on 13 October, 2021 at Kamani Auditorium, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi. This Musical production was based on the story of an Ayodhya princess who went to Korea and married a Korean King.
10. Indian Council for Cultural relations supported the 2nd National Tribal Dance Festival from 28-30 October, 2021 at Raipur, organized by Government of Chhattisgarh. Eminent groups from Seven Countries i.e. Eswatini (Swaziland), Nigeria, Mali, Palestine, Sri Lanka , Uzbekistan and Uganda visited India for participation in the Festival.
11. ICCR supported the special presentation “Welcoming Lord Rama Back to Ayodhya” organized by Delhi Gymkhana Club (DGC) and arranged a performance by 17- member group led by Shri Rajendra Kumar Gangani (Kathak) on 31 October, 2021 at Delhi Gymkhana Club (DGC)- New Delhi.
12. ICCR supported the “Northeast Festival” from 12-14 November, 2021at Kashmir Lawns, DGC, organized by Delhi Gymkhana Club (DGC) as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) .
13. A lecture demonstration and performance of Kathak by Ms. Monisha Nayak and group was arranged during the reception hosted by President, ICCR and DG, ICCR on 25 November, 2021 at “Open Air Rani Bagh” Taj Palace, Chanakypuri, New Delhi, in honour of young parliamentarians, visited India from various countries for Gen-Next Democracy Network programme
14. ICCR arranged Cultural performances- “Melody of classical dances- Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Odissi dance” by Gauri Diwakar & group and “Dance and Music from North East” by Manipuri Cultural Troupe -Shri Shyam Singh on 4 December, 2021 in Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi on the occasion of Centennial celebrations of Public Accounts Committee of Parliament of India.
15. ICCR supported “Maitri Diwas” (the Day when India recognized Bangladesh in the year 1971) organized by High Commission of Bangladesh in India on 6 December, 2021 at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi. H.E Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Education, Govt. of India was the Chief Guest on the occasion and attended by H.E. Mr. K.M Khalid, Hon’ble Minister of State for Cultural Affairs, Govt. of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh alongwith other distinguished personalities
16. ICCR arranged an instrumental music concert of Shwaas Fusion band led by Shri Rajesh Prasanna on 16 December, 2021 in “Shah Jahan Hall” Taj Palace, Chanakypuri, New Delhi during the dinner hosted by Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha in honour of the visiting Parliamentary Delegation from the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam led by H.E. Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue, Chairman of the National Assembly.
17. ICCR organized a concert of contemporary dance in Bollywood style by a 18- Member group (Sadhya) led by Shri Santosh Nair at the reception hosted by EAM in honour of the visiting delegation from Commonwealth Independent States (CIS) on 18 December, 2021 at Rani Bagh (open air), Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi.
18. ICCR supported Bangladesh High Commission in organizing a cultural programme and arranged a performance of Manipuri Cultural Troupe led by Shri Shyam Singh on 21 February, 2022 at the Bangabandhu Hall, Bangladesh High Commission, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, to observe the Mohan Shaheed Dibosh (Language Martyrs’Day) and International language Day.
19. To celebrate the finale of MEA’s Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav Week, Ministry of External Affairs and ICCR organized “An Evening of Dance & Music” on Sunday, 27th February 2022 (7.00 PM) at Purana Qila, New Delhi. Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi, Minister of State for External Affairs and Minister of State for Culture was the Chief Guest and Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Hon’ble President, ICCR & Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha was the Guest of Honour on the occasion. RO Chennai and RO Mumbai in collaboration with RPOs of their respective region also celebrated AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV on 21 February, 2022 and 23 February, 2022 respectively, as part of MEA-AKAM Week.
20. A Song Eternal, Tribute to India’s Greatest Legend Lata Mangeshkar was organised by ICCR on Saturday, 5th March 2022 at ICCR Auditorium, Azad Bhawan, I.P. Estate, New Delhi-110002. The event was graced by Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Hon’ble President, ICCR & Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and presented by Shri Ambarish Mishra, a renowned script writer and designed by Shri Vinod Pawar, RAC member of ICCR Mumbai.
21. On the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between India and Kazakhstan, ICCR organised a dance performance by Ms. Akmaral Kainazarova & group - Centre for Indian Classical Dances and Yoga, Almaty-Kazakhstan on Thursday, 10 March 2022 at ICCR Auditorium, Azad Bhawan, I.P. Estate, New Delhi. The young dancers from Kazakhstan presented Kazakh folk dances and also performed Bharatnatyam.
