The 8th Indo Czech Festival was inaugurated in Prague’s Zbraslav on Durgashtami, 3rd October and Experience India in Andel on Vijaya Dashami, 5th October.
Artist and Founder of the Festival Papia Ghoshal, His Excellency Ambassador of India to Czech Republic Hemant H. Kotalwar, Mayoress Zuzana Vejvodova and Deputy Mayoess Michaela Bernardova have spoken on the occasion, followed by a wonderful opening classical dance invocation by award-winning Dr. Ragasudha Vinjamuri from the UK and vocal rendition by Silpi Paul, accompanied by Arpan Bhattacharya on harmonium and Pranoy Chatterjee from India.
On Vijaya Dashami, Experience India was organised in Andel by Indian community in Czech Republic as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations in collaboration with Embassy of India.
Stalls with plenty of Indian food, henna designs, Indian products and artistic presentations have adorned the area.
Songs, classical, semi-classical. folk dances, and instrumental renditions have enchanted the audiences, the highlight of which was the Sarod recital by Dr Pandit Ranajit Sengupta accompanied by Kousik Banerjee on Tabla.
All the hard work and efforts made by the organisers were evident from the output. It is also heartening to see that besides members of Indian diaspora, several native residents in Prague are learning and performing different Indian dances, demonstrating the fact how much Indian arts are adored in Czech Republic transcending nationalities.
Photo credits: Michal Bohm and Martin Bradley
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