ICCR organized International Performing Art Workshop on Ramayana  in Kolkata

ICCR is organizing International Ramayana Cultural Festival in India annually since 2015.It is  extending invitations to nations with Ramayana traditions to showcase their interpretations of Ramayana on a unified platform. The workshop  lead to a unique production of  Ramayana  involving & synchronization of different narratives as well as music from different participating   nations & different states of India. 

 

The workshop  lead by talented & erudite Dance scholars  Dr. Anwesha Mahanta (Choreographer) from Assam Dr. Khangembam Khoni (Choreographer) from Manipur. 

Entire production was under supervision of  Artistic Director Shri N Munish Singh  from Manipur.

ICCR Alumini Dr. Amali Perera  of Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka  contributed in choreography and enriched the production. 

 

The workshop was inaugurated on 23rd June 2024 by Deputy Director General of ICCR Smt. Anju Ranjan IFS.

 

 The workshop lead to theatre production of ” Ramayana ”  which was inaugurated by Governor of Sikkim Shri Lakshman Acharya on 25th June 2024  at ICCR in Kolkata. 

The Southern Khmer Cultural and Artistic Troupe at Tra Vinh University of Vietnam presented Khmer version of the Ramayana, known as Ream Kêr, featuring variety of characters, including fairies, humans, animals and notable figures like the ogre (Krong Reap) symbolizing villainy and the monkey (Hanuman) representing justice. 

 

The production  was applaud by the audience with standing ovation. 

 

Smt. Anju Ranjan in her address mentioned culture of 41 nations  are influenced by Ramayana in some form . 10 different nations are participating in the workshop which is being organised in three phases. Ramayana productions  resulting out of workshop will be staged in other countries under ICCR initiative.

Smt. Anju Ranjan mentioned a conference on Ramayana will be organized in October as a part of conclusion of the International Performing Art initiative. Governor of Sikkim  Shri Lakshman Acharya in his address deeply appreciated and praised ICCR for its unique initiative  to reconnect the  nations and different cultures  through Ramayana. Shri Acharya mentioned Ramayana connects  most of the nations of South East Asia, Eastern Europe, Caribbean countries to Bharat. Shri Acharya mentioned Ramayana represent culture , lifestyle , human values of people of Bharat historically.  Shri Acharya mentioned about Mahatma Gandhi ‘ s concept of ” Ram Rajya ” . Shri Acharya noted ICCR ‘ s efforts to highlight culture of North East people  on the world stage in line with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi  and India ‘s “Look & Act East Policy” .

International Performing Arts workshop initiative of ICCR is being organized under leadership of Smt . Anju Ranjan Deputy Director General (Culture) of ICCR .

First phase of  International Performing Art Workshop in Kolkata was organized by Team ICCR compromising  Ms. Meenakshi Mishra Director and Head of Zonal East ICCR Kolkata  , Shri N. Munish Singh Director Zonal  North East ICCR Guwahati , Shri Amit Sahai Mathur, Programme Director ICCR (Delhi HQ) , Shri Ramesh Chand Programme Director Zonal East ICCR Kolkata , Shri Faheem Ahmed Programme Assistant ICCR Delhi HQ , Ms. Ishita Agarwal  Media Consultant 

ICCR Delhi HQ  and others. 

 

Acclaimed Kathak dancer Ms. Tanni Chowdhury anchored the program. 

 

The International Performing Art Workshop is  not only rejuvenating historical connect  between modern Bharat and its rich cultural heritage for thousands of years  but also connecting and rejuvenating historical  socio-cultural connections between Bharat and other nations. Also,it is helping to discover little known narratives of Ramayana in various cultures and bring it to world stage creating unity in diversity.