The 7th edition of
Delhi International Arts festival concludes with a spectacular performance by
Barkat Sidhu from Punjab & Qawwali by Warsi Qawwals
New Delhi, Feb 26 2013: The 15 days of
cultural festivity in the city comes to an end today. The Seventh Edition of
Delhi International Arts Festival organized by Prasiddha foundation and
Ministry of Culture, Govt of Indiawitnessed performances of different
regions with a touch of both national and international colours. The
concept was conceived by Ms. Prathibha Prahlad 7 years back.
DIAF started with a
magnificent performance by the Pung Cholam from Manipur, Langas &
Manganiars from Rajasthan, Hety & Zambo from Columbia, National Troupe of
Folk Arts from Egypt, Rouf Dance from Kashmir and Traditional Dance from
Srilanka at Purana Qila on 8th February. The festival witnessed enthralling
shows and performances like the Visual Arts and Crafts exhibition, Pran &
Farooq Shaikh Restrospective, a film festival to pay tribute to the legendary
actors, Hollywood & Children’s Film Festival, Kalaripayattu Martial Arts
from Kerala, Magic show by Spanish magician Murray Molloy, Dhrupad music.
Each year DIAF brings
every genre of performing and visual arts ranging from the classical to the
contemporary from across the world. DIAF 2014 brought performances from
remote parts of Kerala, Assam, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Bihar and several
others. Literature events included panel, discussions and talks at the Sahitya
Akademi, Iranian illumination artistes and craftsmen who demonstrated their
works at the National Museum and the Crafts Museum.
It was an extraordinary time for the art and
culture lovers of Delhi. Classical music lovers witnessed Dhrupad Festival
which featured musicians from all over India like Ustad Wasiffudin Dagar, Ustad
Hussain Sayeeduddin Dagar, Pandit Uday Bhawalkar and others. Theatre
enthusiasts enjoyed the staging of Abhignana Shakuntala directed by K..N
Pannikar at the National School of Drama and a Spanish Play Holiday Out at the
Institute of Cervantes.
The gala closing took place at the Indira
Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Lawns with a soulful Sufi and Qawwali by
Barkat Sidhu from Punjab and Nazir Ahmed Khan Warsi & Naseer Ahmed Khan
Warsi from Hyderabad.