First ever Indian Arts Festival feeds the senses on Reunion Island

reunionnn_1
reunionnn_1
Avatar of Linda Hohnholz
Written by Linda Hohnholz

SAINT PAUL, Reunion Island – In its premier edition, Reunion Island’s Indian Arts Festival officially kicked off today with a colorful start at Teat de Plein Air in Saint Gilles with a program lin

SAINT PAUL, Reunion Island – In its premier edition, Reunion Island’s Indian Arts Festival officially kicked off today with a colorful start at Teat de Plein Air in Saint Gilles with a program line-up that celebrated the diverse facets of Indian culture, mainly through music, dance, and cuisine. Being held from October 21-23, the festival is organized by Kala Bhaaskara, a local classical Indian dance and music association, with the support of key governing bodies (Region Reunion, Commune of Saint Paul, and the Territory of the West Coast). Through a series of enthralling performances, the festival takes audiences on a journey of discovery with an authentic encounter of India’s rich cultural heritage.

The Festival boasts 20 performances, 10 events, and more than 70 artists from India, South Africa, the USA, and Reunion Island. Pushing the creative boundaries of traditional Indian performance, the festival showcases local and international acts, and collaborations that expose audiences to new concepts and genres.


reunion%2Bsecondary | eTurboNews | eTN
International artists gather on stage with key local representatives

PROGRAMMING

Festival Director, Logambal Souprayen-Cavery, from Kala Bhaaskara, heading up her first festival, says this year’s program features some of the most leading-edge contemporary and classical performances from across the globe.

“With programming that includes classical and contemporary dance, drama, music, and not to mention, food, this festival has something for everyone to relish as we aim to provide broader access to Indian arts and culture in La Réunion.”

“Some key festival highlights include a performance by Bombay Jayashree from India, an Oscar nominee in 2013 for the movie soundtrack of “Life of Pi,” and a fusion of Indian classical music and jazz performance by American musician, Shankar Tucker, who has garnered over 15 million views in two years on his “ShrutiBox” online YouTube channel. We are also pleased to have Deena Naidoo, winner of Master Chef South Africa in 2012, as the official chef during the three-day festival period.”

2012 PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

In 2012, a partnership agreement was signed between P. Unnikrishnan, noted national award-winning Carnatic vocalist from India, and Kala Bhaaskara on Reunion Island, to further develop the Indian arts scene in Reunion and to acquaint the Indian arts communities between the two countries, thereby promoting the island as a destination to India and other parts of the world. This was further facilitated by Kala Bhaaskara’s association with the prestigious dance school Bharata Kalanjali in Chennai headed by the legendary dancing couple of India, V.P. Dhananjayan and Shanta Dhananjayan.

P. Unnikrishnan said: “I am heartened to see this festival come together following our agreement two years ago, it is a testament of the cultural relations that is strengthening between India and Reunion. Through a series of collaborations, and this being one of many, we hope to help put the island and its burgeoning artistic potential on the world map.”

Mr. Daniel Minienpoulé, President of the Tamil Federation of Reunion, said: “La Réunion’s Indian Arts Festival is helping to shape an image of Indian arts and culture that is not only rich and diverse but also one that is inclusive and relevant to the local community. The Festival has enriched the experience of audiences by providing a more diverse range of Indian artistic expressions.

“Moreover, the agreement with both P. Unnikrishnan and Bharata Kalanjali is key in creating access to productions to La Réunion that would have otherwise been impossible to witness. We feel fortunate to have the opportunity to see these marvelous works of art without having to leave home.”

Meanwhile, feedback from the participating international community, has been equally fused with enthusiasm and positivity:

Mdm. Verushka Pather, Artistic Director of Natya Ananda Temple of Dance from South Africa, said: “We are so glad to be here, it’s my first visit to Reunion. Logambal and I have been working together through Bharata Kalanjali, and we have shared our first epic dance drama production together in South Africa called ‘Shakti,’ a phenomenal experience of live music and brilliant Bharatanatyam. We are just very excited to share this with the community in Reunion, with some amazing musicians and dancers who are here for the Festival. This is truly a great honor for us, thanks to the wonderful platform that Kala Bhaskaara has created.”

Mdm. Kalyani Shankar, a classic Carnatic violinist from Chennai, India, said: “I am really thrilled to be part of this festival, the spirits are running high as we look forward to its grand success. This is truly about bringing different cultures together and I’ve been so fortunate in being able to exchange ideas with so many leading artists from different parts of the world.”

Mr. Deena Naidoo, winner of Master Chef South Africa in 2012, said: “I am greatly honored and privileged to be part of this phenomenal cultural festival in this beautiful island of Reunion, this being my first visit here. I am so happy to be here to share my cultural culinary heritage as a South African. Already I can see how both Reunion and South Africa share so many similarities in terms of culture, heritage and cuisine, the local communities being equally multi-cultural and embracing of one another’s cultural identities.”

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

Share to...