The event will be inaugurated on Thursday, by Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Meenakshi Lekhi at 11.30 AM on the premises of iconic historic Purana Qila, New Delhi.
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) declared the commencement of the ‘Seventh Edition of the India International Ramayana Festival,’ centered around the theme of the significance of the year-long celebration titled ‘Year of Bridging the World through Ramayana-2024’. The opening ceremony is slated for Thursday, January 18, to be officiated by Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Meenakshi Lekhi, at 11.30 AM within the esteemed historic setting of Purana Qila in New Delhi.
Kumar Tuhin, the Director-General of ICCR, will grace the event alongside distinguished members of the Diplomatic Corps, connoisseurs of art, notable scholars, and esteemed dignitaries from various professional spheres.
Extended Program and Further Details…
In alignment with the timeless and profound teachings encapsulated within the Ramayana, transcending temporal and cultural boundaries, this year’s festival is expanded into a comprehensive year-long series of cultural and scholarly endeavors, spanning from January 2024 to December 2024.
The initiation of this eagerly anticipated series of festivities will feature captivating ballet performances by eminent Indian and international dance-drama ensembles. These performances will be showcased daily from January 18th to 21st, between the hours of 5 PM to 7 PM, at the premises of Purana Qila in New Delhi.
Furthermore, an enticing exhibition of arts and crafts, as part of a sequence of interactive Art and Craft Expositions, has been meticulously arranged for the same duration, running from 11.30 AM to 7.00 PM on a daily basis. These artistic displays will serve as daytime attractions, culminating in the evening’s theatrical presentations, post sunset.
The Jan Bhagidari Initiative
Beyond the India International Ramayana Festival, the enduring and year-long collaboration among participating troupes aligns with the Jan Bhagidari Scheme, emphasizing the ethos of collective engagement. The Ramayana festivities within this framework also champion the ideals embodied in PM Modi’s ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas Sab Vishwas’ initiative.
This renders the festival a potent instrument for fostering unity across diverse regions of the nation while fostering connections between participating international ensembles, each offering their unique interpretations.
Next Phase in Lucknow and Beyond:
The subsequent phase of celebrations will coincide with cultural performances staged in Lucknow (21st – 22nd January). This will be succeeded by a week-long showcase of the International segment of the Ramayana Festival at designated venues in Ayodhya from January 22nd to 29th, providing audiences and visitors with an extended period of engagement.
During the months of April and May, the festival will pivot towards hosting conferences, seminars, and exhibitions at Indian cultural centers abroad, aimed at broadening the discourse on the Ramayana, featuring insights from esteemed Indian and International scholars.
In addition to public interactions, a concerted effort will be made to document various facets of the Ramayana through scholarly papers, publications, and books.
The ongoing roster of stage performances will also encompass presentations by Ramayana cultural delegations from Almora, Ramnagar, and other locales boasting UNESCO-affiliated Intangible Heritage connections with the Ramayana, both within India and overseas.
The itinerary of traveling exhibitions showcasing Ramayana artworks, spanning the spectrum from contemporary to traditional, classical to tribal, will be on display at selected platforms nationally and internationally.