It’s festive season of the year and what better way to celebrate than to take part in Dance India, Taste India! The Temple of Fine Arts is proud to bring to the Singapore public Dance India, Taste India (“DITI”), a major 4 day-long cultural festival to be held at the Hong Lim Park, from Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th November 2008.

     This biennial programme is the third DITI, the earlier programmes were held in 2003 and 2006. This colourful event is organized to increase awareness amongst Singaporeans of the rich cultural heritage of India. The Temple of Fine Arts, widely recognized as a source and sanctuary of culture and fine arts, will present the three major aspects of culture – the performing arts, cuisine and craft throughout each day

      A main feature of DITI will be cultural performances of dance and music by invited artistes from India and also Temple of Fine Arts International. DITI will feature invited artistes from India and local groups who cover the gamut of the performing arts of India, from classical and folk, to contemporary dance and music

A main feature of DITI will be cultural performances of dance and music by invited artistes from India and also Temple of Fine Arts International. DITI will feature invited artistes from India and local groups who cover the gamut of the performing arts of India, from classical and folk, to contemporary dance and music

Food galore from all corners of India! DITI will also feature the many flavours and aromas of cuisine from the various states of India; from Punjab in the north, to Kerala in the South, Maharashtra in the West to Calcutta in the East.

But there is more. Demonstrations and workshops will feature skills such as cooking to saree tying, mehendi, kolam drawing, yoga, dance and music. Come to one of these workshops and try your hand at an ancient skill that has been passed down through generations.

Our previous DITI held in Dec 2003 over 8 days, was highly successful with more than 14,000 visitors attending the event. The last DITI held in Dec 2006 over 3 days attracted more than 8000 visitors.

Participation:

• More than 200 local artists will be performing
• Besides students and teachers of TFA, artists from other organizations will also be invited to perform
• Overseas participants will be about 10

Features & Attractions:
• Dance and music by invited artists from India, local artists and Temple of Arts International artists from Singapore, Malaysia and India.
• Vegetarian Food galore from all corners of India! From Punjab in the north, to Kerala in the south, Maharashtra in the west to West Bengal in the east
• Exhibition and demonstration of how artifacts are made, including sculpting soapstone figurines, creating jewellery items by specially brought artisans from India
• Demonstrations and workshops featuring skills such as cooking, mehendi, rangoli drawing, yoga, dance and music
• Games for the kids and daily lucky draws

Why Dance India Taste India?
• An unique offering of culture, cuisine and craft, where Singaporean, tourists, expats etc. are able to experience the rich cultural heritage of India in one stop
• Residents and tourists will be able to find a microcosm of India at its fascinating best, which aims to educate, entertain and satiate the gastronomic senses
• Showcase different cultural aspects of North, South, East and West India
• Educate Indian culture e.g Yoga, Ayurveda Medicine, painting, dance & music through workshops and demonstrations
• Entertainment through Indian Arts, Dance and Music.

Profile
• Dance and Music
• Classical dances such as Bharatanatyam from Tamil Nadu, Oddisi from Orissa, Kuchipudi from Andra, Kathak from Uttarpradesh. Folk dances such as Bhangra
• Classical Carnatic and Hindustani vocal and instrument music concerts. Orchestra ensembles. Folk songs from Bengali folk, Rajastani folk etc. Bollywood and Kollywood film songs
• There will be a total of about 20 hours of entertainment


• Work of Indian craft and art
• Demonstrations of Indian art such as Soap Stone carver from Orissa, Bangle maker from Tamil Nadu. All the artisans will be specially brought from India for this event.
• Workshop and demonstration of Yoga, Dance, Music, Theatre by eminent personalities. Arts work such as Rangoli, mehendi, kolam etc by practitioners
• Exhibition and sale of Indian artifacts, gifts, apparel and novelties
• Cuisines of India
• Tantalising South India Dosas and snack varieties. Delectable samosas, chat items, pilav varieties from North India. Delicious Indian Sweets.