By Fakir Hassen, IANS
Johannesburg : Politicians and delegates at the India-Brazil-South Africa Summit (IBSA) here were treated to an enthralling performance of India’s traditional kuchipudi dance by Swathy Somanath.
The programme, put together by the South African Ministry of Arts and Culture headed by Pallo Jordan, also included Brazilian guitar quartet Maogani and several South African musicians and dancers.
For over 200 delegates of the summit, the programme came as welcome relief from a long day of business and political negotiations.
The multi-award winning Somanath and her troupe of five performed Devi Stuti, a Sanskrit hymn of praise for Devi; and Tharangam, a hymn in praise of Hindu god Krishna.
“The arts offer a wonderful platform for pursuing people-to-people diplomacy because, of all the human disciplines, the arts speak most directly to the heart,” said Jordan.
“The harmonies of song and the rhythmic movements of the dance are the artistic expression of what we aspire to attain through cooperation and mutual understanding among the peoples of the world.”