DIAF founder-director Pratibha Prahlad spoke to Kritika Dua about the new elements and her choreographed acts this edition
Culturally enlightened Delhiites can rejoice as the 11th edition of Delhi International Arts Festival has begun with new elements such as the literary segment of the festival — Words Count; a platform for young artistes — Rising Talent and An ode to women: India and International.
Pratibha Prahlad mentioned, “For the special celebration of silver jubilee of INDIA-ASEAN partnership, we are trying to understand India’s epic influence on the South-East Asian region. There is a rich legacy and vibrant culture that we share. There are variations of the Ramayana in different countries and our take on it will be performed by acclaimed Indian artists. Indonesian and Malaysian puppetry will also be a part of the festival. For the closing ceremony, artists from Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam will perform at Qutub Minar.” They have invited artistes from all over the world to come and experience the richness and varieties of our own artforms while simultaneously presented their art alongside Indian artists.
The Words Count, a festival of words will be held on November 23 at IHC and published authors will congregate for the same. Politicians like Manmohan Vaidya, Subramanian Swamy, Pavan Varma and Jairam Ramesh will also be a part of it. The art festival has incorporated all genres of music, dance, theatre, puppetry, poetry, literature, visual arts, films and exhibitions.
Prahlad conceptualised the Delhi International Arts Festival, 10 years ago to establish a signature arts festival. “The attempt was to put brand India on the world stage and to draw attention of the world towards India’s soft power. I believe in the concept of Vasudeva Kutumbakam (World is one family) which is possible by understanding each other’s cultures and different art practices that one could develop a healthy friendship and long lasting relationships with other countries.”
She choreographed Vande Mataram, a multi-style dance performance for the opening day of the festival and said, “It took a couple of months to come up with the concept, music and ideation. I sat with the musicians and came up with some commonalities that could be possible in a multi-style production. The idea was taken from Dasha Mahavidhya.
“I have chosen nine devis — Maha Kali, Tara, Shodashi, Bhuvaneshvari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi and Kamala in tantric form. In the first item all the styles came together accompanied by 45 musicians. Nine styles were performed by nine dancers. Finally, everyone came together to pay obeisance to the motherland through the national song Vande Mataram. It celebrates diversity as even though the regional flavour of the music and rhythm is different, the soul is the same,” added Prahlad. It was presented through bharatnatyam, kuchipudi, kathak, mohiniyattam, kathakali, Odissi, Manipuri and chhau.”
She believes that through art and culture we can form lasting friendships and build better societies. “It’s through exposure that one develops understanding and through it one can develop taste, preferences and respect. So when one respects each other’s individuality, art and culture — the world becomes a peaceful society. There is no scope of conflict in a world that respects each other. In this regard culture is the greatest connector and bonding mechanism for people.”
Prahlad has taken Indian art and artistes on a global platform through sheer hardwork, grit, determination and perseverance. “Many a times I was in agony as I didn’t have enough support and still don’t, something which is crucial for a brand India projection of arts.”
It’s woeful that art festivals like these doesn’t garner enough support from the government and corporates. “I would like DIAF to be better supported by corporates of India, PSU’s who make us beg for money every year and with little more understanding from the government as such an art festival was not created by them in the last 70 years. And I have managed it as an individual with a small NGO in the last 11 years. It should be promoted and made bigger and better, we should take pride in it as the festival might end if it doesn’t get enough support. Today, I may do a festival, tomorrow I don’t have to as I can perform.”
She believes that an award has a meaning if its given to deserving people. “But in our country everything is about self-promotion, people who don’t deserve awards get it. So many people who have barely done anything got awards. Everything is based on those awards as there are benefits attached to them. Personally, when people applaud me, come out and say that it’s a well deserved award and they are happy I got it. I take it as a people’s honour and feel highly respected. It only happens when they support me and share the happiness.”
As a part of An ode to women: India and International, Women of Ramayana was staged at Kamani Auditorium on Day 4 of the festival. There were three solo classical dances — Dr Uma Sharma presented Panchvati Varnan and Shovana Narayan presented Kaikeyi ka Pashchatap through Kathak whereas Geeta Chandran presented Ravana in Ashoka Vana through Bharatnatyam. Prahalad said, “Women of Ramayana has always fascinated me because there are different interpretations to the same characters. Art gives you the liberty to explore new dimensions and imitate a character’s personality. One of the running themes of the festival is variations in Ramayana in India and South-East Asian countries.” The audience was mesmerised by the new perspective on women of Ramayana.