ĐÀ NẴNG — The Indian band Pranavanaadham band will perform a concert combining classic instruments with modern equipment at Đà Nẵng’s Nguyễn Hiển Dĩnh Theatre on April 4 as a part of cultural exchanges between Việt Nam and India.

The Việt Nam-India Friendship Association in Đà Nẵng said the band will perform a fusion concert, mixing Carnatic, music associated with southern India, Hindustani classic music and modern Western music at the theatre at 155 Phan Châu Trinh Street from 4pm.

The band will perform in the opening ceremony of the annual Quán Thế Âm (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) festival – the city’s biggest Buddhism festival – on April 3 at Quán Thế Âm Pagoda.

The Indian ambassador to Việt Nam, Parvathaneni Harish, will plant a Bodhi tree taken from Bodhi Gaya, a Buddhist pilgrimage site in India, in a ceremony at Quán Thế Âm Pagoda on April 4.

A photo exhibition of Buddhism relic in India will be on display at the pagoda at 48 Sư Vạn Hạnh Street in Ngũ Hành Sơn District of the city on April 3.

It’s part of cultural programmes to mark the 46th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the tow countries.

Main festival

The annual Quán Thế Âm (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) Festival will be held on April 2-4 at the foot of the Kim Sơn Mountain – the largest of the Marble Mountains – in Đà Nẵng with a Buddhism lecture and meditation session, martial arts performance, folk games and a run for peace.

The main festival, which falls on April 4 (the 19th day of the second lunar month) will feature a procession of an image of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and a prayer for peace, prosperity and happiness for the nation.

Tourists will be able to explore the stone sculptures of the 400-year-old Non Nước stone village – a piece of national intangible heritage – in Ngũ Hành Sơn District.

The festival draws about 10,000 residents and tourists each year. — VNS