'Festival of India' to begin in Vietnam from Mar 5

A 10-day 'Festival of India', featuring a series of cultural events, will be held in Vietnam from March 5 to 15.
The Festival of India in Hanoi would be inaugurated by the Senior Politburo Member and Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Thien Nhan in the presence of eminent dignitaries, official statement said.
Culture secretary Ravinder Singh will head the 90-member Indian delegation.
Among the highlights of the festival are a dance composition titled 'Nrityaroopa' which will be presented by the Sangeet Natak Akademy.
'Nrityaroopa' encapsulates for a new audience the experience of Indian dance as it has evolved in various parts of the country.

Six dance forms -- Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Chhau, Manipuri and Kathakali -- representing the diversity of India's culture have been chosen for this presentation to Vietnamese audience.

A food festival and a Buddhist festival would also be a part of the event, it said.
The Buddhist Festival would comprise of Sand Mandala Painting, Butter Sculpture, Sacred Dance and Lama Chant, 25 monks from Central Institute of Himalayan Studies would be participating in the Buddhist Festival in Vietnam.
The West Zone Cultural Centre would be presenting a Kalbelia dance troupe in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city for the Festival of India in Vietnam.

A Yoga Festival would also be a part of the package while Mehendi artists would also be participating.