Arts
& Crafts in Delhi
As
the seat 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.
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.
Pupet Show at Delhi Hatt,
Delhi Travel Agents
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.
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. |
