This event is staged at Hong Ha Central Traditional Opera Theatre in Hanoi and coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Vietnam. Source: Indian embassy in Vietnam

The Embassy of India in Hanoi together with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) of Vietnam had organized an evening of Indian classical dance by visiting artists of the highly acclaimed Centre for Indian Classical Dances on December 1 at Hong Ha Central Traditional Opera Theatre, Hanoi.

The visit of the cultural troupe and their performances in Hanoi is part of the ongoing activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and India.

The event was attended by Nguyen Thi Le Thuy, vice chairwoman of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment and vice chairwoman of the Vietnam-India Parliamentary Friendship Group; Luu Van Duc, standing member of the Ethnic Council of the NA and vice chairman of the Vietnam-India Parliamentary Friendship Group; Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, vice president of the Executive Board, Vietnam Buddhist Sangha; Indian Ambassador Sandeep Arya; Tran Nhat Hoang, deputy director of MOCST's International Cooperation Department; People's Artist Chu Thuy Quynh; along with senior government officials from various ministries and agencies, members of the diplomatic corps and international organizations, students, scholars and people from all walks of life.

The presentation is choreographed by Dr. Sonal Mansingh, Padma Vibhushan & Member of Parliament of the Upper House of Indian Parliament. Source: Indian embassy in Vietnam

Speaking at the event, Indian Ambassador Sandeep Arya stressed that this year in 2022, the two countries are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations. These 50 years represent the formal relationship between the governments of the two countries. But actual relations between the two countries, between India and Vietnam, really are much older than these 50 years which we are marking today formally.

According to him, People's Artist Chu Thuy Quynh first performed Vietnamese dance form in India 13 years before India and Vietnam established diplomatic relations which was in 1959. President Ho Chi Minh visited India one year, even before that, which was in 1958 as the head of state, which was 14 years before the diplomatic relations were established between India and Vietnam.

And third example, the diplomat said, is really the relationship related to Buddhist heritage which is represented by Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien which represents really the historical relations between India and Vietnam are much much older and much deeper.

Ambassador Sandeep Arya pointed out that the relationship between India and Vietnam lives in the hearts of the people and is popular at the level of individuals. That is the biggest strength which is much deeper and much older than the formal diplomatic relations between the two countries and which is also expressed with the presence of the of audiences in this event.

The group will also tour Binh Dinh province and Ho Chi Minh City from December 4 - 9 to present their special performances. Source: Indian embassy in Vietnam

The presentation was choreographed by the great scholar and seasoned art administrator Dr. Sonal Mansingh, Padma Vibhushan & Member of Parliament of the Upper House of Indian Parliament.

The performance comprised of three main themes including ARDHA-NAREESHWAR – a concept that represents the synthesis of masculine and feminine energies of the universe and illustrates how Parvati, the female principal of God is inseparable from Shiva - the male principle of God; DASHAVATARA - an awesome description of the evolutionary cycle from the Indic lore which shows 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu; and VANDE MATARAM – a Salutation to the Motherland of India through an evocative poem written by patriot-poet Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in early 20th century.

The performance was an effort to bring Indian culture and art forms to the audience in Vietnam and is sponsored and facilitated by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi.

Apart from this event, the repertoire group will also visit the provinces of Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Ninh Thuan, and Tay Ninh from December 4-9 to present their specially choreographed show in Vietnam.

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