As the seat
of empires for centuries, and with royalty as patrons, Delhi has
long been a cultural center, attracting the best of painters,
musicians and dancers. Though today's patrons have changed, Delhi
is more than ever the cultural capital of the country, and is
also visited by foreign dancers, musicians and theatre groups en
route to the Far East.
October to March is the "cultural season" of Delhi, during which
time a plethora of events take place in the fields of the visual
and performing arts. The best of the performing arts representing
the range of classical dance forms and schools of music from all
over India can be viewed at Kamani Auditorium, the Chamber
Theatre at Triveni Kala Sagam, FICCI Auditorium, the India
International Center, Siri Fort, LTG Auditorium, Pragati Maidan
and Sri Ram Centre, where Delhites can enjoy the privilege of
seeing, and listening to, the legendary gurus as well as their
disciples.
Music lovers look forward to the Shankarlal, Dhrupad and Tansen
Festivals in February and March and the Vishnu Digamber Festival
in August, at which India's greatest musicians perform Roshanara
Festivals of music and dance organized by Delhi Tourism.
October witnesses the popular Qutub Festivals where reputed
musicians and dancers offer captivating renditions with the Qutub
Minar as the backdrop. Film buffs eagerly await the National Film
Festivals and the bi-annual International Film Festival, held in
January. Apart from commercial cinema houses, films are
periodically screened at the Max Mueller Bhawan, the Alliance
Francaise, the Japan Cultural Centre, the British Council
Division, the Russian Centre for Science and Cultural and the
Hungarian Information Centre.
Theatre in Delhi receives a constant impetus from the presence of
the National School Of Drama. The variety offered ranges from
Hindi translations of European plays, to regional theatre, as
well as folk forms. Delhi's numerous art galleries reflect the
country's burgeoning art scene. Well-known and new artists from
all over the country display their works in these galleries.
Notices of exhibitions are given in daily newspapers and specific
city magazines.
Among the active galleries are Art Heritage, Triveni Art Gallery,
Sridharani Gallery, Art Today, Vadehra Art Gallery, Eicher
Gallery, Gallery 42, Dhoomi Mal Art Centre, Gallery Escape, Lalit
Kala Akademi, LGT Gallery, Gallery Ganesha, Gallery steps,
AIFACS, Max Mueller Photo Gallery, British Council Divisio
Gallery, Gallery Romain Rolland, Khirkee Gallery, the Village
Gallery and at times the American Centre.
Traditional crafts, too have long been practiced in Delhi. The
city was particularly well known for its silver and gold
enameling, and zari or embroidery in gold thread.
Master-crafters men in both crafts still live in the Walled City
where there are also miniature painters.
Delhi also has fine potters, wooden toy makes, kite makers and
lacquer craftsmen. In Old Delhi it is not unusual to come upon a
traditional workshop. The wealth of Indian handicrafts can be
enjoyed at the Crafts Museum at Pragati Maidan, at the State
Emporia on Baba Kharak singh Marg, and at Dilli Haat, which is
Delhi Tourism's popular venue for crafts bazaars throughout the
year.
