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Journalism of Courage
The IIC Experience will bring together morning ragas, Mughal cuisine, masked dancers from Tawang, plus a play from Israel
It8217;s that time of the year when, sandwiched between the bright colours of Dussehra and the brighter lights of Diwali, Delhi plays host to one of its most elegant cultural events 8212; the IIC Experience, which kicks off on October 16. The city8217;s intelligentsia forms the audience, as critically acclaimed artists or unknown art forms move to the platforms on the lawns.
The IIC Experience turns five this year, but the celebrations have been dimmed by terror and tragedy. 8220;The spectacular diya illumination on the lawns will be restricted to the inaugural and concluding days rather than being a daily feature,8221; says Premola Ghose of the India International Centre. Most events, as usual, will be held in the open air, with white tents flapping in the autumn breeze.
Setting the tone for things to come, the opening act will be a procession by masked dancers from the Monpa community of Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. Kumudini Lakhia will follow with her Kathak composition. Dance and music performances are peppered through the week 8212; from Ulhas Kashalkar8217;s morning ragas and Rajasthani folk tunes by the Langa and Manganiyar communities to Swiss performer Eliana Burki8217;s dexterity on the alphorn.
Burki will have company in other international performers. 8220;This year will see the largest number of foreign artists,8221; says Ghose. From Hungary comes the famous gypsy band Parno Graszt, while Israeli theatreperson Ruth Kanner will present her award-winning play Alternating Perspectives. Raina8217;s critically acclaimed Stay Yet Awhile will also be staged. If you missed its first show in Delhi in January, be there on the last day of the festival. 8220;The play is more a documentary drama about the intellectual relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore. Based on a book called The Mahatma and the Poet, the play shows how the two great men were at loggerheads about everything, but had mutual respect,8221; says Raina.
It isn8217;t high-brow and serious all the way. The daily film festival is all comedies and thrillers, while the food festival will feature a cuisine every day. Dehlvi will be presenting Delhi Ka Dastarkhana on the first evening, with shab degh, a Mughal dish which has mincemeat balls cooked with turnips and an assortment of spices, biryani and an array of vegetarian delights.
The IIC Experience will be held from October 16 to 22, from 10 am to 9 pm on most days. Entry is free.
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