Rousing start to India festival in London

LONDON: A replica of Taj Mahal sailed down the river Thames here on Tuesday in a rousing start to the three- month long festivities focussing on India's rich art, culture and lifestyle and aimed at cementing the British capital's age-old ties with the "emerging economic superpower".

The India Festival launched by Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, London Mayor Ken Livingstone and Indian cricket captain Rahul Dravid will feature over 1,500 events dedicated to Indian art, film, theatre, music, fashion, food and business.

Livingstone said "India is an emerging economic superpower and also has one of the world's most important cultures. The India Now season will truly showcase the very best of modern Indian culture for to Londoners and visitors alike."

The replica of the white marble monument of love was created by Bollywood film-set designer Bijon Das Gupta and was launched on a barge from Vauxhall to London Bridge, passing through many of London's iconic landmarks.

The festival will see over 200 cultural organizations contributing to the season, including a selection of London's most well known museums and galleries such as the British Museum and Victoria and Albert museum. Over one million Londoners are expected to take part in the events.

Livingstone, who will be visiting India in November, said the festival recognized the existing strong relation between India and London and "show that in the future, with India's emergence as one of the world's greatest economic powerhouse, this relation will become stronger still.

The number of Londoners of Indian origin was over 4.3 lakh last year- accounting for six per cent of the capital's population and making it the largest national minority community in the city

The Mayor said India should be highlighted as an example of peaceful co-existence. "What we have learned in India is that you need two things to survive. You need tolerance and peace.  You need to tolerate your neighbour no matter what his creed or colour or religion," Livingstone said.

Other highlights of the festival include appearances Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, whose new film 'Chak De India' will premiere at Somerset House.

There will be a fashion show at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum and exhibitions at the British Library and Museum of London, while the Regent Street festival on September 2 will have an Indian theme.

A Bollywood night will be held at Kempton Park racecourse while NRI comedian Sanjeev Bhasker will give a talk at the V&A.
     
Standing at approximately six metres high and eight metres long, the intricate replica of the Taj Mahal received a contemporary artistic treatment by Bollywood set designer, Bijon Das Gupta and modern Indian artist, Suchi Chidambaram.

The Taj Mahal is supported by a one metre high plinth, hand painted by Suchi Chidambaram, with modern Indian and London city scenes.

The Mayor said the festival was the "biggest opportunity to enjoy the cultural richness of a country that will be a huge part of our futures."

The Mayor has also lent his support to a new tour of London promoting the time spent in the capital by Mahatma Gandhi, father of the nation.

The two-hour walk has been devised by Ajay Goyal and covers Gandhi's five visits to London, starting in 1888 when he was training to become a barrister and used to walk up to seven miles a day searching for vegetarian food.

Many of the restaurants and places he lived in have since been demolished or destroyed in the Blitz, but the tour includes Gandhi's first London home in Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, plus Inner Temple and Farringdon Street.

Goyal said India Now was a "very positive" initiative. India has the second largest number of inward investment projects to London of any country - after only the United States.

Over 212,000 Indian visitors came to London in 2006, for the first time spending more than Japanese tourists.  Over 4,000 students from India are now studying in London, contributing an estimated 60 million pounds to London's economy.

In 2006, over 40 Indian film productions were filmed in London, with an estimated annual worth of 14 million pounds to London.

James Bidwell, Chief Executive of London Unlimited, the international marketing agency for London, said: "India Now will connect with one of the most powerful emerging countries of the future on cultural, sporting and business levels as London cements its relationship with this rapidly growing economy."