Starting today, artistes from seven countries will be performing eight Indian dance forms in Delhi

INDIAN artistes performing classical dance on stages around the nation and the globe is passe. It's time for something new. On that note, check out something new. Starting today, artistes from across the world will showcase eight Indian dance forms in the Capital at a three-day long dance festival.u00a0 One interesting factu00a0-- all these artists are of foreign origin but are masters in Indian classical dance.



Flown down by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, these artists give you an idea of the interest with which enthusiasts from across the globe are learning and teaching Indian classical dance forms. The organisation has been continuously working towards improving cultural relations betweenu00a0 India and its neighbouring countries.

"I really wanted to learn something different and Indian dance is the best. I have been doing Bharatnatyam since 2003 and still learning it to achieve perfection. Indian dance forms are special and I love them all. I am specially interested in learning folk dances here.

Also I am fascinated by Bollywood these days as I have not done any thing of that sort ever and it definitely is going to be a very interesting thing," says Vincent Zwane, an artiste from South Africa. He, alongwith others are in India to showcase the advanced forms of Indian classical dances that they are now proficient in through years of learning and hard work.

Ramli Ibrahim from Malaysia, Aila El-Edross from Indonesia, Irina Strakhovenko from Russia, Anne Dietrick from Germany, Zhang Jinghui from China, Dayashree Pentiah from Mauritius and Isa Jacobi from Germany are showcasing their talents. So far, they have been promoting the various dance forms that India has in their home countries.

Where: Kamani Auditorium, Copernicus Marg
When: 6.30 pm
Ring: 23378641 (for invitations)

Cut-and-keep schedule
August 2
Sutra dance by Ramli Ibrahim's group from Malaysia
Kathak by Aila El-Edross from Indonesia
August 3
Bharatanatyam by Vincent Zwane from South Africa
Kuchipudi by Irina Strakhovenko from Russiau00a0
Mohiniattam by Anne Dietrick from Germany
August 4
Kathak by Zhang Jinghui from China
Kuchipudi by Dayashree Pentiah from Mauritiusu00a0
Kathakali by Isa Jacobi from Germany