Yesterday night, Ambassador H.E Ashok K. Kantha along with Ms. Zhong Yanqun, Vice Chair of The Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress jointly inaugurated the India Culture Week. The India Culture Week will be held from November 5th to November 11th by China Shanghai International Arts Festival Center and Shanghai Consulate General of India.

Both India and China boast of their own ancient civilizations and profound historical cultures. In ancient times, China and India had great contacts in culture and trade. With the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomacy between China and India this year, the India Culture Week can be regarded as a new bridge for the two countries in the field of culture and art. This time, India will present Chinese audience a dance show Sari by Dhaka Shays Dance Troupe, a concert by Rajasthan Josh Orchestra, a musical Bollywood Extravaganza, the Artistic Conception of Faith-India Art Exhibition and so on. Indian artists intend to demonstrate the essence and highlights of Indian culture through these artistic events. 

The Musical Bollywood Extravaganza is a celebration of love and life. The music selected from an array of hits by India’s most prolific composers - including R D Burman, Pritam & Shankar Ehsaan Loy etc. is a tribute to their virtuosity and to the incredible range of music that India produces. Combine this with the energetic and magical choreography of Gilles Chuyen, the brilliance of design by our Producer Sharupa Dutta and an outstanding cast of dancers, singers and musicians, and magic unfolds every night on stage. 

This musical has toured in 11 countries including Austria, Netherlands and Germany. ATI METWALY IN AHRAM WEEKLY once said, “With this fusion of dance, color and music, Bollywood love story ends up being a treat for eyes and ears.”

The exhibition titled “Forms of Devotion” would remain open for public viewing at China Art Museum from November 6, 2015 - February 21, 2016. The large and holistic exposition of nearly 400 works in diverse forms created by 200 artists from across India and beyond is reflective of the country’s plural culture. The collection engages with continuity and change and features classical inspired, tribal, folk, popular, new media and contemporary art. It depicts the indelible connect between art, faith, and life transcends stylistic, geographical, chronological, and ideological boundaries.

As the part of Art Space, Rajasthan Josh is a world music band which creates a mesmerizing performance by combining folk traditions of the north western region of North India. They use instruments like the Morchang, Bhapang Khartaal, Double flute, Nagara & Bamboo flute while incorporating vocal styles ranging from traditions, bhajans & popular folk songs of mystic Sufi Rajasthan. The performance is interspersed with captivating dances like the Chari Dance, Kalbelia Snake charmers dance & Terah Taali.

In the new section Arts Education, the Rajasthan Josh performed in Shanghai Datong High School while Daksha Sheth Dance Company brought SARI to Shanghai Normal University. Each Sari is a unique extension of the weavers' own body: their fingers and arms are both the tools and the measuring sticks used during its creation. Through the art of draping, a woman in turn reveals her demeanour and her regional identity. This union of the Sari and the wearer exudes the sensuality of dance. What begins in the weavers' hands culminates in a personal and sensuous experience for the wearer, the Indian woman's visual identity, her second skin. “SARI”is a celebration of the creation of this unique drape, in constant play with the body, both in stillness and in movement.