IIM Ranchi’s Swami Vivekananda Auditorium resonated with Shiva Stotra and devotional songs on Wednesday evening. The occasion marked the first-ever ICCR ‘India-International Dance and Music Festival.’ The 10th edition of the festival commenced at 6:00 PM at the Swami Vivekananda Auditorium, in the presence of distinguished guest Suraj Kumar, ICCR Programme Officer, and IIM Faculty including Prof. Amit Sachan, Dean EEC; Prof. Tanusree Dutta, Dean Academics; Prof. Gaurav Manohar Marathe, Chairperson SEDC, Prof. Angshuman Hazarika and others.
The first performance was presented by the artists from Laasya Arts Academy Malaysia. Set to classical music, the artists showcased various expressions of Bharatanatyam. Their first act, "Swara Mandiram," highlighted 4000-year-old Hindu beliefs, illustrating how Lord Shiva has existed since the dawn of creation. The performance featured dances based on hymns dedicated to Lord Shiva. The artists used their expressions to convey the devotion and faith people have towards the River Ganga, performing a dance based on the song "Namami Ganga." The group also mesmerized the audience with a fusion of classical music and Indo-African dance. Under the guidance of Group Leader Dr. Guruvayur Usha Dorai, 15 artists performed both duet and group dances.
In the 70-minute program, the renowned Jeevanmukta Music Ensemble from South Africa took the stage next. The lead artists, Kerolin Govender and Zawadi YaMungu, engaged in a unique fusion of Indo-African music. Caroline surprised the audience with her rendition of the devotional song “Vaishno Jan To Tene Kahiye,” while Zawadi performed a blend of African folk music, including Zulu and Xhosa, along with Hindi and Sanskrit verses. The Indo-African artists performed songs that praised the glory of Lord Shiva. On stage, Veedhern Punwasi played percussion, and Rajeev Mohan played the keyboard.
The program was organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Directorate of Culture, Department of Tourism, Art, Culture, Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Jharkhand. The artists from Laasya Arts Academy Malaysia and Jeevanmukta Music Ensemble, who had come to India for the Mahakumbh, are now touring across the country, showcasing glimpses of Indian classical music, dance, and culture under the joint initiative of ICCR.
