(Image source from: Afternoon Voice)
The American Center on Wednesday launched its exhibition marking 70 years of United States-India relations, 'Celebrating 70 Years of U.S.-India Relations' in New Delhi.
The art expo, which runs through August 14, features images and photographs from the U.S. Embassy collections that document the U.S.-Indian relationship as far as the 1950s.
The event likewise featured a dance performance, 'Dancing Stories from the East and West,' by Assistant Professor of Contemporary Dance at Indiana University, Nyama McCarthy-Brown, and Bharatanatyam dancer Tanya Saxena.
"All around us, you will see inspiring images from past and present that reflect the strategic partnership and strong friendship that the United States and India have enjoyed for 70 years now," said Sarah Ziebell, the U.S. Embassy's Regional Public Engagement Specialist, during the opening of the exhibit.
She added, "Building this exhibition was both a labor of love and a joy for the team that assembled it, and we are proud of its reflection of U.S.-India dosti."
'Dancing Stories from the East and West' is an outcome of a collaborative procedure between Professor a contemporary American dancer McCarthy-Brown, and an Indian classical dancer Tanya Saxena, whose work originates from different pedagogical traditions but who have found commonality in expression.
Nyama McCarthy-Brown said, "The collaboration illuminated treasured dance traditions from two very distinct cultures and wove them together harmoniously, yet without infringing upon the integrity of either form. To be sure, each form was magnified in the presentation, juxtaposed to the other. The work was a collaboration, in every sense, a true partnership of embodied culture."
Before the performance, the dancers spoke with attendees about their art form, explained how they developed their pieces, and showcased a movement sequence through an interactive session with the audience.
The show is broken into themes that mirror the depth and breadth of the two countries collaboration, ranging from security and economic partnerships to the sharing of talents and culture across areas such as science, technology innovation and performing arts creations.
By Sowmya Sangam
