The Embassy organized the “Festival of India” in Kazakhstan from October 6-12, 2016. It comprised six performances by two Indian cultural groups spread across four cities in Kazakhstan.
Ms. Smita Nagdev, an accomplished sitar exponent from India, presented sitar recital at Kazakh Concert Hall, Almaty on 6th October as the curtain raiser of the Festival. The recital comprised rendition of assortment of evening ragas and bhajans on Mahatma Gandhi. Shri Dinesh Kumar, Deputy Chairman of Management Board, Tengri Bank, Shri R. Gururaj, First Secretary and Ms. Smita Nagdev jointly inaugurated the event. The sitar recital was followed by Indian classical dance by the Centre for Indian Classical Dances, Almaty led by its Director and honoured artist of Kazakhstan Ms. Akmaral Kainazarova.
The Festival of India in Kazakhstan was inaugurated by Ambassador Shri Harsh Jain with sitar recital by Ms. Smita Nagdev at the National Museum in Nur-Sultan on 7th October. Ambassador and Director of National Museum Mr. Darkhan Mynbai welcomed the guests. The sitar recital was preceded by cocktail reception hosted by the Ambassador.
In his address, Ambassador recalled that when Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Kazakhstan last year, it was decided that the two countries should intensify cultural cooperation by extending mutual support for holding cultural events in each other’s country and exchange of cultural festivals. He stated that the festival is dedicated to the 70 years of India’s independence, 25 years of independence of Kazakhstan and 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Ms. Smita Nagdev presented sitar recital at the Atyrau State University, Atyrau on 8th October. Ambassador Shri Harsh Jain and Rector of the University Mr. Abzal Taltenov jointly inaugurated the event. The performance in Atyrau coincided with the Atyrau city day.
A Cultural Group from the West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur presented Lokrang, an ensemble of Indian Folk Dances from the States of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra at the Kazakh State Drama Theatre, Almaty on 10th October. The performance comprised playing of Bhapang (musical instrument); Puppetry; Lavani, folk dance of Maharashtra; Garba and Raas, folk dances of Gujarat; and Bhavai and Kalbelia, folk dances of Rajasthan. Former Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan Shri Ashok Sajjanhar inaugurated the event.
The same group presented Indian Folk Dances at Eurasian National University, Nur-Sultan on 11th October and the concluding performance of the Festival of India at the Central Palace, Temirtau on 12th October. Ambassador Shri Harsh Jain, Deputy Mayor of Temirtau Mr. Galym Spabekov and CFO of Arcelor Mittal Mr. Ashok Santhalia welcomed the guests in Temirtau.
Ambassadors, diplomats, government officials, members of Indian community, representatives of media, Kazakhstani nationals and students attended the events held in various cities.
The Festival was co-sponsored by Tengri Bank (Sitar Recital at Almaty), National Museum, Nur-Sultan (Sitar Recital at Nur-Sultan), ONGC Videsh Limited, RITM Oil and Atyrau State University (Sitar Recital at Atyrau), Eurasian National University, Nur-Sultan and JK Capital (Folk Dance at Nur-Sultan) and Arcelor Mittal (Folk Dance at Temirtau). Kaz Energy Suppliers, Kazakhstan-India Foundation and Centre for Indian Classical Dances in Almaty also supported some segments of the Festival of India.
