Cultural Activities
The Embassy of India, Brussels in partnership with Art Base organised an evening of classical Indian music at the Art Base concert hall in Brussels on Tuesday, 17 July 2012. The evening featured renowned Dhrupad singer, Ustad Sayeeduddin Dagar and eminent pakhawaj player, Pt. Mohanshyam Sharma. The event was oversubscribed, attended by local Belgian aficionados and included a large number of young people. The audience particularly appreciated the interactive format of the performance and the closeness to the artists.
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Renowned vocalist Ustad Sayeeduddin Dagar performing
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Pakhawaj player Pt. Mohanshyam Sharma and Sitar player Bert Cornelis during the concert
The Museum of Sacred Art, established in 2010 at the Château de la Petite Somme in Durbuy, opened its second art gallery to the public on 2 June 2012. The gallery was inaugurated by Ms. Pooja Kapur, Counsellor (Consular, Culture, Education & Environment) at the Embassy of India and Ms. Sushma Bahl, Art Curator and Writer. The event began with traditional chanting and breaking of coconuts, and was followed by a welcome address by the Director of the Museum, Mahaprabhu Dasa, and the ribbon cutting ceremony. The gallery showcases paintings by some of the best contemporary religious artists from India.
Thereafter, Ms. Ismat Jahan, Ambassador of Bangladesh inaugurated an exhibition of Madhubani Art by noted artist Bharti Dayal, and visitors were given a tour of the exhibition by the artist herself. This was followed by cultural performances by Chrysalide, Banishree Falisse and the Samadhi Dance Company in the evening to mark the occasion. The event was attended by scores of people from the Radhadesh community as well as the local area.
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Guests gathered by the new gallery for the opening
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Breaking of the traditional coconuts on the threshold of the building
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From right to left: Ms. Pooja Kapur, Counsellor (Consular, Culture, Education & Environment), Embassy of India, Brussels; Ms. Sushma Bahl, art curator and consultant, ICCR, Mahaprabhu Dasa, Martin Gurvich Director of MOSA, artist Bharti Dayal and Hrdaya Caitanya Das, Temple president of Radhadesh
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Visitors viewing the exhibition of Madhubani Art
Bharata Natyam and Kathak Dance Evening, 12 May 2012
The Embassy of India, Brussels in collaboration with Maya Sapera Dance Company presented a Bharata Natyam and Kathak dance evening at the prestigious BOZAR Theater in Brussels on Saturday, 12 May 2012. The evening featured Shijit Nambiar, an eminent Bharata Natyam dancer and Shila Mehta, renowned Kathak dancer and choreographer. In addition, Lucia-Anjali and Maya Sapera, local Belgian artists, shared the stage. The event was oversubscribed and the audience of about 250 people included high-ranking diplomats, cultural connoisseurs, members of the Indian community, dance students etc...
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Bharata Natyam choreographer and dancers Shijit Nambiar and Lucia-Anjali performing on the theme of Shiva
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Kathak choreographer Shila Mehta performing a dramatic interpretation based on one of Rabindranath Tagore's poem
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Backstage with the artists are, from left to right: Mr Santosh Jha, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of India, Mr Shijit Nambiar, Ms Shila Mehta, Ms Maya Sapera, Ms Eva Vereecken, from Maya Sapera Dance Company, Ms Pooja Kapur, Counsellor (Culture), Embassy of India and Ms Gira Gratier, event organiser with her spouse.
Exhibition Tagore “Digital Prints”, 15-30 March
The Embassy of India, Brussels partnered the Brugge Cultural Centre to hold an exhibition of Tagore’s artwork. The exhibition, entitled “Digital Prints of the Artworks Paintings by Tagore”, was displayed in Brugge from the 29 February to the 15 March. The Horizon Art and Cinema Novo Festivals, which featured several films based on Tagore, offered the ideal framework to further mark the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Tagore. The exhibition consisted of 45 paintings of various formats, highlighting a lesser known aspect of the great poet’s work. The exhibition was supplied by ICCR which also arranged for 100 brochures and 200 catalogues to be made available for the public. |
India Focus Country at Cinema Novo Festival, 8 to 18 March 2012
The Cinema Novo Film Festival, a festival traditionally showcasing art cinema from Asia, Africa and Latin America, was held from 8 to 18 March at Cinema Lumière and Cinema Liberty in Brugges, Belgium’s most visited city. This year’s edition of the festival focused on India: out of 72 films, 15 were from or about India, including 4 films directly inspired by the great poet Rabindranath Tagore. To complement the homage paid to Tagore, the Embassy of India organised for an exhibition of Tagore artworks to be displayed in the Bruges Cultural Center, in the vicinity of the cinemas. The Embassy also hosted an “India Evening”, with the help of India Tourism, to mark its support to the festival. |
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On the 15 March, the Embassy of India in cooperation with the Brugge Cultural Centre organised an “India Evening” to mark the India theme in two popular festivals held concurrently in the city of Brugge: the Cinema Novo Film Festrival, and the Horizon Art Festival focusing on the contemporary art scene. The event took place at the historic City Centre of Brugge at Hallen Belfort. Mr Santosh Jha, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of India Brussels and Mr Yves Roose, First Counsellor of the City of Brugge jointly inaugurated the Horizon Art Festival. This was also for them the occasion to launch a book on “India, Visions from the Outside”, the main exhibition of the Horizon Art Festival, in the presence of Mr Shanay Jhaveri an innovative movie-maker and Curator of the exhibition. Also present at the event were Mr Piet Crauwels, President of the Cinema Novo Board of Director, Ms Sonia Debal, Director of the Brugges Cultural Centre, Ms Pooja Kapur, Counsellor (Culture), Embassy of India, who had organised the event and Mr P.N. Prasad, CEO of the State Bank of India. The presence of India Tourism, Amsterdam, gave an additional Indian flavor to the atmosphere of the evening. They set up a counter at the venue displaying brochures and other promotional material. The “India Evening” was well attended by an enthusiastic audience of art connoisseurs.
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Mr Santosh Jha, Chargé d’Affaires a.i.,Embassy of India, receiving a book on the exhibition from Mr Yves Roose, First Counsellor of the City of Brugge (standing behind Mr Jha), Mr Shanay Jhaveri, Curator of the exhibition “India, Visions from the Outside” is sitting in the back (left side of the picture).
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(Left) (Right) From left to right Ms Sitalakshmi representative of India Tourism, Mr Santosh Jha, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of India, Ms Pooja Kapur, Counsellor (Culture), Embassy of India and Ms Sonia Debal, Director of the Brugges Cultural Centre standing by the India Tourism counter.
The Mission supported the Belgian Royal Military Academy in organising an Indian Soirée, at the academy premises in Brussels on the 14 March. Mr Santosh Jha, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Ms Pooja Kapur, Counsellor (Culture), and Brig Pankaj Arora, Defence Attaché, Embassy of India were present at the Soirée. India Tourist Office Amsterdam set up a booth at the venue, displaying brochures and other promotional material. Proceeds of the event went to one Indian and one Belgian charity association. The evening featured several groups of dancers and singers inspired by Indian art and culture. Between performances the guests could taste Indian food and drinks presented by local Indian restaurants. A raffle closed the evening. Over 400 invitees both civilians and militaries, attended the soirée, turning it into a success in term of promotion of the Indian culture.
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(Right) Mr Santosh Jha, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of India, addressing the audience to open the evening
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(Left) India Tourism booth. At the Soirée, seen from right to left: Mr Santosh Jha, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of India, Superintendant RMA Harry Vindevogel, Ms Pooja Kapur, Counsellor(Culture), Embassy of India, and Ms Sitalakshmi representative of India Tourism, at the India Tourism counter
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Among other artists, a Bollywood group from Holland and a Bharata Natyam dancer performed during the evening.
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Among other artists, a Bollywood group from Holland and a Bharata Natyam dancer performed during the evening.
Public Lecture 'The Past and Future of Indian Democracy' 8 March 2012
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Dr Ramachandra Guha delivering his lecture
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(Right) From left to right, the speakers and organizers of the event: Professor Idesbald Goddeeris, Coordinator of the Platform Leuven India Focus, Ms Pooja Kapur, Counsellor (Culture), Embassy of India, Dr Ramachandra Guha and Mr Mohamed Ridouani, Alderman for Education and Integration Policies, City of Leuven
Music Festival Nam’In’Jazz, 29 February 2012
The University of Namur, in partnership with the association N'8'Jazz, organised the Nam’In’Jazz festival from 21 January to 30 March, with the aim of making jazz music accessible to all. The main event of this edition was a concert by Trilok Gurtu, a noted Indian jazz drummer, on 29th February 2012. The concert took place in the historic building Arsenal, in the heart of the city of Namur. Prof. Marcel Rémon, Vice-Rector, University of Namur, and Ms Pooja Kapur, Counsellor (Culture), Embassy of India, were present at the event.
Indian jazz drummer Trilok Gurtu performing
Republic Day celebration, 26 January 2012
The Embassy of India, Brussels celebrated the Republic Day by hosting a reception in its premises on the eve of the national day, followed by the Flag Hoisting Ceremony in the forenoon of Thursday, 26 January 2012. Both events took place in the presence of members of the Indian Embassy, of the Indian community in Belgium and of dignitaries from the EU and Belgian political establishments. The Flag Hoisting Ceremony started with hoisting of the Indian flag by Ambassador H.E. Dr. Jaimini Bhagwati followed by reading of the President's message to the Nation by the Ambassador. The programme included singing of the National Anthem and patriotic songs by members of the Embassy’s staff and their families. This was followed by a reception..
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Ambassador H.E. Dr. J. Bhagwati reading the President's message to the Nation on Republic Day
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(Left) Ambassador H.E. Dr. J. Bhagwati greeting the guests at the reception on the eve of Republic Day
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(Right) Embassy’s officers with Ambassador H.E. Dr. J. Bhagwati (in the center), during the reception on the eve of Republic Day.
Screening of Peepli Live, 20 January 2012
In line with the tradition of holding screening of quality Indian films in its auditorium, the Mission screened Peepli Live, a film produced by Aamir Khan and directed by Anusha Rizvi, on 20 January. The film was shown in original Hindi with English subtitles, and got an excellent response from the audience.
Mission resumed the practice of screening of Indian movies at the Embassy auditorium. The first film to be screened was the classic ‘Charulata’ directed by Satyajit Ray, in original Bengali with French subtitles on 9 December.
Bollywood Music Evening, Hariharan’s Musical Band, 22 Nov 2011
The Mission in collaboration with the Honorary Consul General of India in Luxembourg organised a Musical Evening at the Embassy auditorium on 22 November 2011, featuring an eclectic mix of light classical and film music. The performers Lakshmi, Ravi and Karthik were winners of a Jaya TV talent show hosted by noted composer and singer Hariharan. The performance attracted a full house of an essentially young audience comprising both the connoisseurs and the curious.
Lakshmi, Ravi and Karthik accompanied by Ashok on the tabla
AGNI Dance and Music Show, 12 November 2011
Maya Sapera in AGNI
Homage to Indian Soldiers and World War I Martyrs in Ieper, 11 November 2011
Ambassador Dr. Jaimini Bhagwati laid a wreathe at the Indian Memorial at Ieper on 11 November 2011 to pay homage to the Indian soldiers who died in the Flanders Fields during World War I. Major General K. Majumdar, representative of the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army), Brig Pankaj Arora, Defence Attache and Ms Pooja Kapur, Counsellor, Embassy of India, Brussels, were present at the short and solemn ceremony. Thereafter Ambassador Bhagwati attended the annual commemoration ceremony of World War I organised by the Belgian Government at Menin Gate Memorial to pay homage to soldiers who laid down their lives in the First World War. The ceremony was attended by Princess Mathilde, consort of the Crown Prince, Mr Yves Leterme, Prime Minister of Belgium, and a host of Belgian dignitaries as well as Ambassadors. Ambassador Bhagwati, accompanied by Major General K. Majumdar, placed a wreath at the Memorial. In the evening the Rajhans Orchestra under the baton of Mr. Hans Vermeersch presented the ‘Indian Army Flanders Fields Memorial Concert’ at Knokke. |
Filem'on International Children’s Film Festival, 29 October - 6 November 2011
The Filem'on International Children’s Film Festival held in Brussels from 29 October to 6 November 2011 featured two award-winning Indian children’s movies, namely "Stanley Ka Dabba" by Amole Gupte and "I am Kalam" by Nila Madhab Panda. The Mission helped promote the Film Festival through publication of promotional material and dissemination of information. At the premiere of "Stanley Ka Dabba" in Brussels on 4 November, Ms Pooja Kapur, Counsellor (Culture) gave a talk on Indian cinema to the young audience.
Celebration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Tagore: Dance Dramas « The Warrior Queen » and « Timeless India », 2 November 2011
To celebrate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Tagore, Focus India in collaboration with the Embassy of India organised an Odissi Dance concert at BOZAR, Brussels’ premier cultural venue, on 2 November 2011 from 8.00-10.30 p.m. An ensemble of 10 dancers and 3 musicians from India and the Netherlands led by well-known choreographers Ms Monalisa Ghosh and Mr Arindam Bannerjee performed Tagore’s dance dramas “The Warrior Queen” and “Timeless India.” In his address welcoming the audience, the Ambassador H.E. Dr Jaimini Bhagwati quoted from Tagore’s works and said that they continued to inspire Indians even today. The event was attended by 250 people including several Ambassadors and cultural personalities. |
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The Mission supported an exhibition entitled “Women Changing India” organised by the BNP Paribas Fortis Bank and MixCity Belgium Foundation at Bellvue Museum, Royal Palace, Brussels. The exhibition of photographs by noted European photographers attempted to capture the soul of Indian women and their role in the economic, social and cultural development of India today. The exhibition was inaugurated in Brussels on 14 October 2011 during which Ms Pooja Kapur, Counsellor (Culture), Embassy of India, Mr Max Jadot, CEO of BNP Paribas Fortis and Ms Ilse Haest, President of MixCity Belgium delivered speeches. A book on the exhibition also was launched. The evening was attended by over 200 invitees, largely from the banking world. Both the exhibition and the speeches were extremely well-received, making it a memorable event.
Ms Pooja Kapur, Counsellor (Culture) at the opening of the “Women Changing India” exhibition
International Conference on Post-Independence Hindi Literature, 3-5 October 2011
Dr Karan Singh and the participants to the conference after his lecture
To commemorate the 142nd Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a function was organised by the Mission on 2 October 2011 at Park Marie-Josée, Molenbeek Saint-Jean, Brussels, where a life-size statue of Mahatma Gandhi is located. The commemorative event was attended by Mr Jamal Ikazban and Mr Jan Gypers, Echevins (Alderman) of the Commune of Molenbeek Saint-Jean, Mr Georges Papadimitriou-Demaître, President of the Gandhi Centre for the Service of Life and Humanity, as well as locals and officers and staff of the Mission.
The Ambassador, H.E. Dr. Jaimini Bhagwati placed a wreath on Gandhiji’s statue and delivered a solemn address. He reminded the audience about how Mahatma Gandhi had not only shaped India’s past but also remained relevant in the contemporary world. Mr Ikazban and Mr Papadimitriou-Demaître also delivered speeches in which the former spoke about the modernity of the Mahatma’s message and the latter related how Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings had changed his life. The speeches were followed by singing of Bhajans. Light refreshments were served at the end of the function. Gandhi Jayanti ceremonies were also arranged in Antwerp and Luxembourg by our Honorary CGs.
Ambassador H.E. Dr. J. Bhagwati at Mahatma Gandhi’s statue at Park Marie-Jose, standing with
Mr Jan Gypers, Alderman for environment (right), and Mr Jamal Ikazban, Alderman for Protocol,
and Mr Georges Papadimitriou-Demaître, President of the Gandhi Centre (left)
Hindustani Classical Music Performance by , 22 September 2011
A Hindustani classical music performance by Canada-based vocalist Ms Gauri Guha was organised at the Embassy auditorium on 22 September 2011 at 7:30 p.m. Ms Guha was accompanied by India-based artist Mr Sandip Banerjee on the Tabla and Brussels-based musician Mr Daniel Schell on the Tiptar. The performance lasted for one and half hours and included classical and light classical music such as Ragas, Ghazals and Bhajans as well as gave a flavour of folk and Bollywood music with classical roots. The event was well-attended and the audience was international in character, with a large number of young people, resulting from the special effort made by the Cultural Wing to reach out to people not on in the Mission’s standard catchment area. The evening was a success and the audience particularly appreciated the interactive format of the performance.
Ms Gauri Guha with Mr Sandip Banerjee on the Tabla and Mr Daniel Schell on the Tiptar