New Delhi, Nov 22 (IBNS) Passengers are in for a treat as Delhi International Airport (P) Limited (DIAL) kicked off a five-day long festival of classical and contemporary dance at Terminal-3.
The performances are choreographed and performed by the renowned Birju Maharaj Parampara, a dance troupe founded by Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj.
The cultural extravaganza was inaugurated on Wednesday by Birju Maharaj’s son, Pandit Jai Kishan Maharaj.
A plethora of classical dance genres such as Kathak and Bharatnatyam along with regional dance forms including Haryanvi, Kalbelia, Chhau and Dandiya delighted the audience with their mesmerizing performance.
“This is the first time that any airport in India has undertaken an initiative of this kind to promote the classical dances. This is just an extension of our long connect with Indian culture which is manifested all over the airport and especially at Terminal-3,” said DIAL’s CEO I. Prabhakara Rao.
"Events like this also signify that travelling out of Delhi Airport is not merely catching a flight but an experience that one carries home,” said Rao.
Speaking from the USA, Pandit Birju Maharaj said, “I have performed across the world at varied venues with my troupe in locations like stadiums, auditoriums, open-air amphitheaters and such. But, this is surely the first time that troupe from Birju Mahraj Parampara will be performing at an airport.
"I am happy that such a step has been taken by the airport authorities. This will go a long way in promoting Indian culture at what is surely the new Gateway of India.”
Pandit Jai Kishan Maharaj, who inaugurated the event with other luminaries, said, “This event organized by GMR Delhi Airport is a great attempt through which I think people who travel and our foreign guests in transit get a glimpse of our culture here and remember it as a part of their journey.
"The airport is a beautiful stage for this event and I hope they continue to organize these events in the future.”
