THREE MONTH 'INDIA NOW' FESTIVAL IN LONDON THIS SUMMER

22 July 2007 - 15:45

In July London will be hosting an India Festival (probably without the elephants) which will last for three months and is designed to showcase India’s popular culture, arts and cuisine.

‘India Now’ will comprise several events across London dedicated to Indian art, films, food, theatre, music and fashion.

The festival will be launched by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, on July 15. The theme is to be “India and London — Partners in Globalisation.”

Over 150 cultural organisations and attractions will participate in the season which will be dedicated to India's contribution to world culture, its rich tradition and most importantly raise awareness and celebrate new Indian trends across art, film, theatre, food, music and fashion.

Promoting the event Ken Livingstone said “India is not only one of the world’s most important and rapidly growing economies, an emerging economic superpower, but it also has one of the world’s most important cultures. In 2007, we are aiming to strengthen London’s relations with India, building on the significant contribution the Indian community - the largest minority national group in London — already makes to the economic, cultural and social success of the capital.”

Livingstone is expected to visit both New Delhi and Mumbai with a delegation of representatives from London businesses, with plans to open mayoral offices in both cities.

There will be a number of attractions, including a three-week Indian-themed festival at Trafalgar Square in August. In September, Regent Street, one of London’s busy shopping streets, will be transformed into an Indian streetscape complete with music, sculptures, food and artisans.

Other highlights include Indian-themed club nights, stage performances at the National Theatre and an art exhibition at the Museum of London.

And of course Bollywood will be well-represented. The premiere of a Hindi blockbuster at Somerset House is planned. According to sources in Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan’s Chak De India and the John Abraham-Bipasha Basu starrer Goal are strong contenders for the honour. The premiere will have several Bollywood stars in attendance, says Mark Prescott, who heads the Cultural Campaigns department.

Knowing the Indians' love of sound, light and life, I expect it to be an animated and exciting festival which hopefully will bring some much needed colour and life to the streets of London.

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