The three towering, beautifully decorated Chariots are the central spectacle of the Festival of India which has an inestimable impact on the minds and hearts of its countless visitors and active participants in major cities worldwide.
The tradition hails from the ancient city of Puri and has been celebrated for thousands of years. It is the grand culmination of a series of celebrations spread over the summer and monsoon months in India and is the most splendid of them all.
Brought to the west in the sixties by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, the Chariots Festivals are now celebrated annually in major cities worldwide, notably in New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris and Durban.
Bolaji Rosiji, the Founder of Gaurapad Charities and a former President of the Performing Musicians’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), who is also the Co-Chairman of the Festival of India Organising Committee explained, ‘The Festival of India is not only about fashion, jewellery, culture and Bollywood. There is a higher purpose. We are using the Festival platform to forge diplomatic, cultural and commercial ties with the world’s fastest growing economy – India.’
Co-Chairman of the Festival Organising Committee, Mr Diwesh Mishra reminded the audience that the Festival would include a colourful display of various Indian costumes, dressing and dance groups representing different states in India as well as cultural groups from Nigeria – “This is in line with the overriding goal of the Festival which is “Celebrating Cultural Unity & Diversity for national and global peace – *vasudhaiva kutumbakam (*the world is one family.)”
The Festival of India’s stage will host an unprecedented kaleidoscope of internationally renowned traditional and contemporary music stars from India and Nigeria such as the multiple-award winner Anup Jalota (Emperor of Songs), Bollywood Diva Yuvika Chaudhary, Nigerian Superstar Davido, Fuji maestro Pasuma Wonder, Gospel star Sammie Okposo, legendary flutist Tee Mac, renowned female talking drummer (and recently appointed cultural ambassador to the Kingdom of Ile-Ife) Ara – as well as a host of other rising stars, dancers, and dramatic artists.
The Nigerian judges include Tee Mac, Ras Kimono; Indian judges include Mrs Reena Bangera, Mrs. Rupa Walia and Mrs Kamla Rao. No Fields Found.
