By IANS
New Delhi : Alliance Française de Delhi, where thousands of students go to learn proficiency in the French language, Monday kicked off its week-long golden jubilee celebration with a dance performance and a show by noted cartoonist Sudhir Tailang.
“The journey has been inspiring. We met with many challenges. After changing many places finally we have got a permanent place here (Lodi Estate). The 50th year is marked with many new beginnings – the new governing body, which is about 13 months old, has started its first newsletter and also the first scholarship for those graduating from Alliance Francaise de Delhi,” M.M. Varadarajan, president Alliance Francaise de Delhi, said at the opening ceremony here.
The festival started in a traditional Indian style. French Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont lit the lamp, which was followed by a dance performance and Tailang’s special show “The Magic Brush” that enthralled the gathering. He also drew a cartoon of the ambassador.
The warm festive ambience, created by Naresh Kapuria, was done effectively using lights and lamps. The new building in Lodi Estate, designed by French architect, Stéphane Paumier along with Indian architects Anupam Bansal and Rajesh Dongre, provided the perfect backdrop for the event.
Jewellery Designer Asha Kamal Modi tried to fuse Indo-Western culture by draping mannequins in French outfit teamed with Indian jewellery.
The work of Yom, a known French modern visual art artist, was also on display.
The week long festival has on offer theatre, art, music and fashion events with French wine and cheese also there to tantalise visitors.
Professionals and amateurs, students of Alliance and celebrities have come together to commemorate the founding of the Alliance Française in India.
A play for the occasion, “Egalité”, by director duo Raman Chawla and S. Somasundaram, will be one of the highlights. Written by Neel Chaudhuri, it is a light comedy on four young characters, searching for an ideal.
“It will have both Indian and French characters,” said Aruna Vasudev, vice president of Alliance Francaise.
All this and more, over the week when the Alliance Francaise will be, as the French say “en fête” – in a celebratory mood.