|
New Delhi
Arts & Crafts
As the seat of
empires for centuries, and with royalty as patrons, Delhi
has long been a cultural center, attracting the best of
painters, musicians and dancers. Though today's patrons
have changed, Delhi is more than ever the cultural capital
of the country, and is also visited by foreign dancers,
musicians and theatre groups en route to the Far East.
October to March is the "cultural season" of Delhi, during
which time a plethora of events take place in the fields
of the visual and performing arts. The best of the
performing arts representing the range of classical dance
forms and schools of music from all over India can be
viewed at Kamani Auditorium, the Chamber Theatre at
Triveni Kala Sagam, FICCI Auditorium, the India
International Center, Siri Fort, LTG Auditorium, Pragati
Maidan and Sri Ram Centre, where Delhites can enjoy the
privilege of seeing, and listening to, the legendary gurus
as well as their disciples.
Music lovers look forward to the Shankarlal, Dhrupad and
Tansen Festivals in February and March and the Vishnu
Digamber Festival in August, at which India's greatest
musicians perform Roshanara Festivals of music and dance
organized by Delhi Tourism.
October witnesses the popular Qutub Festivals where
reputed musicians and dancers offer captivating renditions
with the Qutub Minar as the backdrop. Film buffs eagerly
await the National Film Festivals and the bi-annual
International Film Festival, held in January. Apart from
commercial cinema houses, films are periodically screened
at the Max Mueller Bhawan, the Alliance Francaise, the
Japan Cultural Centre, the British Council Division, the
Russian Centre for Science and Cultural and the Hungarian
Information Centre.
Theatre in Delhi receives a constant impetus from the
presence of the National School Of Drama. The variety
offered ranges from Hindi translations of European plays,
to regional theatre, as well as folk forms. Delhi's
numerous art galleries reflect the country's burgeoning
art scene. Well-known and new artists from all over the
country display their works in these galleries. Notices of
exhibitions are given in daily newspapers and specific
city magazines.
Among the active galleries are Art Heritage, Triveni Art
Gallery, Sridharani Gallery, Art Today, Vadehra Art
Gallery, Eicher Gallery, Gallery 42, Dhoomi Mal Art
Centre, Gallery Escape, Lalit Kala Akademi, LGT Gallery,
Gallery Ganesha, Gallery steps, AIFACS, Max Mueller Photo
Gallery, British Council Divisio Gallery, Gallery Romain
Rolland, Khirkee Gallery, the Village Gallery and at times
the American Centre.
Traditional crafts, too have long been practiced in Delhi.
The city was particularly well known for its silver and
gold enameling, and zari or embroidery in gold thread.
Master-craftersmen in both crafts still live in the Walled
City where there are also miniature painters.
Delhi also has fine potters, wooden toy makes, kite makers
and lacquer craftsmen. In Old Delhi it is not unusual to
come upon a traditional workshop.
The wealth of Indian handicrafts can be enjoyed at the
Crafts Museum at Pragati Maidan, at the State Emporia on
Baba Kharak singh Marg, and at Dilli Haat, which is Delhi
Tourism's popular venue for crafts bazaars throughout the
year.
|
