India’s High Commissioner H.E. Navdeep Suri addressing the media in Melbourne. Photo: SAT/NN.
By Neeraj Nanda
Melbourne, 23 June: The proposed Festival of India in Australia (Sept, Oct, Nov 2016) to be held across six cities will be a public-private collaborative effort, says Mr. Navdeep Suri, Indian High Commissioner in Canberra. Mr. Suri was today addressing a select group of media persons at the Indian Consulate here. Mr. Suri said funding for the festival will come from the Indian Government, Australia India Council (Dept. of Foreign Affairs and Trade) State governments in Australia and big corporate sponsors. He did not name any sponsors or disclose the budget of the festival.
The festival kicking off with a launch on 20 July in Sydney, will have events under the classical, contemporary and local content. Apart from Sydney the other cities holding the festival are Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane. On a question by SAT, Mr. Suri said, India’s scientific and technological achievements are not part of the festival.
Then festival line-up includes performances by top dance schools, classical music recitals, exhibition on architecture, cartoon exhibition, lecture on Yoga, literary theatre, puppet theatre, Bollywood workshop, local artists and much more. The festival website will soon be up with all the details. Mr. Suri hoped the festival becomes an annual feature.
The media was also addressed by Hon. Manika Jain, Indian Counsel in Melbourne, who assured the community that local artists will also be featured in the festival.
– SAT News Service.
