Page 43 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

INDIA THROUGH THE Y EAR  41

commemorate Rama’s return
to Ayodhya after 14 years of
exile. Firecrackers are lit, and
sweets are exchanged. Every
locality holds Diwali melas (fairs).
Guru Purab (Nov). On the
first full moon night after
Diwali, Sikhs celebrate the
birthday of Guru Nanak,
the founder of Sikhism.
Prithvi International Theatre
Festival (Nov), Mumbai. Prithvi Immaculate vintage cars contend with city traffic at the Kolkata rally
Theatre is one of Mumbai’s best-
known theatres. This week-long sun from the Equator to in period costumes. A similar
festival brings to the city the Tropic of Capricorn. This rally is held in Delhi in March.
international theatre groups, day coincides with the Tamil Mamallapuram Dance
who perform a variety of festival of Pongal (see p593). Festival (Jan/Feb),
contem porary plays, along Republic Day (26 Jan). Pomp Mamallapuram. Leading Indian
with a handful of Indian and pageantry mark India’s classical dancers perform
theatre groups. birth as an independent Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi,
International Trade Fair republic. In Delhi, a colourful Kathakali and Odissi against
(14–21 Nov), Delhi. In this major military parade is held a backdrop of the famous
event for Indian industry, at Rajpath. Pallava rock-cut sculptures.
goods manufactured in India Beating of the Retreat Thyagaraja Aradhana
and abroad are exhibited (29 Jan), Delhi. This ceremony Festival (Jan/Feb), Thiruvaiyaru.
at Pragati Maidan. Cultural recalls the end of the day’s An eight-day music festival is
events are also held in battle, when armies retreated held in honour of the saint
the fair grounds. to their camps. A composer Thyagaraja, attracting
International Film grand display eminent musicians from all
Festival of India of regimental over the country.
(Nov/Dec), Goa. bands play Basant Panchami (Jan/Feb).
India’s premier film music and march against Considered to be the first day
event, showcasing the spectacular backdrop of spring, Basant is celebrated
state-of-the-art films of the North and South all over North India. People
by Indian as well as Decorative blocks. As the sun sets, dress in shades of yellow,
international directors. paper kite a bugle sounds the echoing the yellow mustard
International Film retreat, fireworks are lit, blossoms that are in bloom.
Festival of Kerala (Dec), Kerala. and the buildings are framed In Eastern India, the same day
This event invites films from with fairylights. is celebrated as Saraswati puja,
around the world, in cate gories Vintage and Classic Car honouring the Goddess of
such as world cinema, short Rally (Jan), Kolkata. The Learning and Wisdom.
films, documentary and Statesman group of news- Desert Festival (Jan/Feb),
Malayalam cinema. papers organizes this event Jaisalmer. A cultural festival,
Madras Music Festival when vintage cars, or the held on the sand dunes over
(Dec/Jan), Chennai. The city “grand old ladies”, are flagged three days, with camel races,
celebrates its rich heritage off on a short race. Their camel polo, folk dances and
of Carnatic music and dance, owners often dress up music performances.
with recitals by numerous
well-known artistes.
Island Tourism Festival
(Dec/Jan), Port Blair. A ten-
day festival of dance, theatre
and music reflects the multi-
cultural population of the
Andaman Islands. There are
also exhibitions of local
crafts, flora and marine life.
Lohri (13 Jan), Punjab.
Bonfires and merriment mark
what is believed to be the
coldest day in winter.
Makar Sankranti (14 Jan),
Jaipur. Kites are flown to
celebrate the return of the Bagpipers of an army regiment at the Beating of the Retreat ceremony

040-041_EW_India.indd 41 26/04/17 11:42 am