HÀ NỘI — Indian classical dancers and the Indian Army Symphony Band are going on tour in Việt Nam from April 21 to 25. The performances are sponsored by the Việt Nam Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Indian Embassy in Hà Nội. 

The first part of the performance consists of Kuchipudi, one of the ten leading classical dance forms of India, performed by dancers T Reddi Lakshmi, Lipsa Satpathy, Shivalika Kataria and Tanya Saxena. They will perform five dances choreographed by Guru Jayarma Rao, one of the foremost performers of the Kuchipudi style, who has enriched its repertoire with contemporary choreography. 

The dance-drama performance art that originated in the Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh brings together tradition, faith, temples and travelling bards.

In the second part, the audiences will enjoy music performed by the Indian Army Symphony Band and Traditional Orchestra of Việt Nam Military Music, Song and Dance Theatre. Highlight of the concert will be an Indian song entitled Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja (Go Forward Step by Step) and the Vietnamese Quê Tôi (My Homeland) song. 

Three Vietnamese artists - Dương Quang Việt; Dương Phi Hùng and Phạm Thế Dũng - will sing the Indian song  accompanied by the Indian band. The Vietnamese song will be played by the Indian band, too. 

The two orchestras will also play together the overture to Mozart’s Symphony No 40 and an Indian patriotic song.

The Indian Army Symphony Band was founded in 1990 with players from Army bands. Subsequently, to add variety to the music, Indian classical musical instruments like santoor, sitar and jaltarang were incorporated.

The band performs during the visit of numerous foreign dignitaries to India and during national ceremonial events like  Republic Day, Independence Day and Beating the Retreat ceremony.

It has also participated in various military tattoos and music festivals in foreign countries, such as Russia, France, Italy, Sweden, Japan, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Bhutan, and Nepal.

The performance will begin at 8pm at Hà Nội Opera House on April 21; HCM Opera House on April 22 and Nguyễn Hiển Dĩnh Tuồng Theatre on April 25 in Đà Nẵng City. — VNS