Embassy of India
Prague
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Czech Finance Minister inaugurates Festival of India, Prague, 24 June
The Festival of India in the Czech Republic was inaugurated by H.E. Ms Alena Schillerová, Minister of Finance, Government of the Czech Republic and H.E. Mrs. Narinder Chauhan, Ambassador of India on 24 June, 2019 at Karlin Divadlo, Prague, by the lighting of Indian traditional lamp.
2. The Festival featured following three performances:
(i) Bharatanatyam by Ms. Neha Seshadrinath on ‘Natesha Kauthvam’. ‘Natesha Kauthvam’ described the Lord of Dance, Nataraja, as the one worshipped by sages, celestials, Brahma and Vishnu.
(ii) Kathakali led by Kalamandalam Shri Rajasekharan Madhava Kurup, who performed the story of ‘Kirata’, which defined that during the period that Pandavas brothers were in exile in the forest, they and Draupadi suffered many hardships. Early in their stay there Vyasa, the great sage, came to visit them and advised Arjuna to go to the Himalayas and perform penance to Siva in order to secure from him the divine arrow pasupata which would be necessary to help him in the forthcoming war with the Kauravas. Siva and his consort Parvati disguised themselves as tribal hunters in order to test Arjuna’s prowess and faith. He was defeated by them, but nevertheless continued to worship Siva who, turning into his true form, blessed Arjuna and presented him with the divine arrow.
(iii) Kathak by Neha Seshadrinath with Chaturang. Chaturang or ‘Chaar ang’ is the coming together of four aspects of music and dance – sahitya, sargam, bol and tarana.
3. The audience included among others, former Prime Minister Petr Necas, former first lady, Ambassadors & diplomatic corps, officials of Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Culture Ministry, Defence Ministry, local companies including Home Credit, Skoda Auto, members of local Czech and Indian community, Indologists,Yoga Centres, Chinmoy Centre, ISKON etc.
4. The Festival of India in Czech Republic is being organized by the Embassy of India, Prague from 24 June to 29 June, 2019 in three different cities, i.e., Prague (24 June); Brno (26 June); and Ostrava (Ostrava Street Festival, 28-29 June).
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Prague, Czech Republic
25 June, 2019
