Sanskruti-Veekshanam, a unique cultural show, marking Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is taking place at the Nehru Centre, the Cultural Wing of the High Commission of India, London on Friday, 8 July.
This evening event has been jointly organised by the Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence and the Indian Council For Cultural Relations, who have created a special programme, showcasing the distinct folk and unique dance forms from 12 different regions of India, such as Meghalaya, Manipur, Mithila, and Andhra Pradesh. Some of these dance forms are being presented for the very first time on British soil.
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of its people, culture, and achievements. It is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India thus far in its evolutionary journey but also hold within them the power and potential to enable Prime Minister Modi’s vision of activating India 2.0, fuelled by the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
The official journey of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav began on 12 March 2021, commencing a 75-week countdown to the country’s 75th anniversary of independence and will end on 15 August 2023.
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Following the UK-India Year of Culture in 2017, where cultural diplomacy was the key focus, now once again arts and linguistic diversity of India comes to the centre-stage, as India marks 75 years of Independence in 2022. The content on 8 July promises to be vibrant and rich, with dance.
Dance has traditionally been an important part of religion and culture in India. According to Indian legend, the gods invented dance and dancing is one of the most revered Hindu arts. It incorporates melody, drama, form, and line, where gestures, body positions and head movements are all emphasized in Indian dance.
Promoting and highlighting India’s art, culture and heritage in the UK has a significant meaning. Probably more so, because of the centuries of shared history between these two nations, which includes the Indian diaspora living in the UK.
The program “Sanskruti-Veekshanam” serves to both celebrate and raise cross cultural awareness and diversity, while marking the landmark year, bringing joy and community interconnection. The promotion of culture contributes directly to many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).
Where the promotion of art, culture and creative industries is vital, which can lead to social cohesion.
The SDGs aim to foster a shift in thinking about development beyond economic growth; envisioning a future that is equitable, inclusive, peaceful, and environmentally sustainable. This bold vision demands creative approaches, beyond the typical linear and sectoral ones that most countries have used in recent decades.
Culture and heritage involve both the preservation and promotion of communities, and reinforces the relevance of the forthcoming “Sanskruti-Veekshanam” event, as keeping cultures alive, not only generates livelihoods but instils a deep sense of recognition and achievement.
The Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence was founded with the aim of generating a greater understanding of India’s heritage and projecting the country’s cultural diversity and image to wider audiences. The organisation is actively engaged in building future cultural ambassadors and contributes to cultural diplomacy by promoting the arts and linguistic diversity of this region.
Over the years, the Centre has hosted discussions at the Houses of British Parliament, along with events jointly organised with the All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Dance, Health, Water, Environment, Hunger, India and Indian Traditional Sciences covering topics such as water management, the role of dance in mental health, fitness and well-being, obesity among children, diabetes management, holiday hunger and cultural tourism.
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Dance and music, are perhaps, the oldest arts evolved by all societies, where these art forms are an innate instinct, that comes from deep within us, urging us to find an expression. Indian culture lies at the heart of the Indian experience, which began thousands of years ago and has given its people including people of Indian origin, an identity and character, which have helped them to retain their integrity through the passage of time and changes in human consciousness.
Evolving through the centuries, dancing has become an integral part of every Indian. Be it the classical Indian dance forms, the influence of Bollywood, or just a way of celebrating important occasions, which makes this Sanskruti-Veekshanam event on 8 July a fitting way to mark India’s 75th years of independence.
About the Author: Sangeeta Waldron
(Authored by Sangeeta Waldron, Serendipity PR & Media Limited, UK)
