Heritage on display in 'Friends of India' to greet PM Modi

MOSCOW: A cultural performance reflecting popularity of India's rich heritage and traditions in Russia will be presented to greet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a public reception here tomorrow expected to be attended by around 3,000 people.

The show will feature artistes staging a musical enactment of Atal Bihari Vajpayee's famous poem "Geet Naya Gata Hoon" rendered by Lata Mangeshkar just a day before the former Prime Minister's birthday on December 25.

The Prime Minister will address the gathering of 'Friends of India' event at the Expo Centre here.

The cultural show, to be performed by Russian artistes, will have two components - 'Abhinandan' and 'Abhivyakti'.

'Abhinandan' - to feature performances by 52 artistes - envisages performance of Indian art forms by Russian artists.

It will display the popularity of Indian cultural traditions in Russia and its importance of inter-cultural understanding while portraying the assimilation of India's performing arts traditions by Russian artistes.

'Abhinandan' will commence with a Shloka recital and a creative rendering of Vande Mataram by Russian Brahmakumaris, followed by continuing sequence of brief Kuchipudi, Kathak and Dandiya Raas.

The programme will conclude with the musical enactment of "Geet Naya Gata Hoon".

'Abhivyakti' is an attempt to articulate and convey an authentic image of Indian traditions, history and culture by Russian artistes and enthusiasts, which resonates in the hearts, and minds of all Indians and well-wishers of India in foreign countries.

It is a reflection of the feeling of brotherhood and amity that exists between the people of India and Russia.

"'Abhivyakti' is dedicated to the expression of goodwill, joy, and enthusiasm aptly represented by our philosophy of 'Vasudheva Kutumbakam' that characterises our interaction with the rest of the world," said organisers.

This component of the show would contain performances by 100 artistes and will majorly consist of Namaskaram, Charishnu, Bharatnatyam, Rudra, Pandattam, Khoria, Lavni, Kalina Taal performances.