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Arts & Crafts in
Delhi |
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As the sea t
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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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