It is true that the arts transcend language and social barriers and ‘Shared History – The Indian Experience’ has proved this for four years. Celebrate art, dance, film and theatre this month as The Indian Experience explodes throughout South Africa.

Experience India

2010 is the 150^th anniversary of the arrival of the first indentured Indians to come to South Africa. And what better way to celebrate this moment in history than to experience India and its colourful culture and vibrant people?

The festival showcases the magnificence that Indian culture has to offer with shows in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Pretoria until the end of September. There is something for everyone to experience so if you enjoy dance, visual art, film, contemporary and classical music, theatre, food and/or literature then make your way to the Indian Experience.

South Africa and India: A Shared History

Shared History launches Friday 3 September at the trendy FTV, Village Walk in Sandton. Midival Punditz, the popular Indian fusion group consisting of Delhi musicians Gaurav Raina and Tapan Raj, will get the festival off to an awe-inspiring start. This is just the beginning of three weeks of cultural fun.

‘The Shared History Festival is a unique celebration of plurality and the common heritage of India and South Africa,’ says Indian High Commissioner Virendra Gupta. This common heritage will be seen in what is one of the highlights of the festival; renowned artist Dr Alka Pande take on an art exhibition, which is like no other.

 Where the Streets have no Name

Twenty two Indian artists, who collaborated with 22 Indian street children, have each put together a work of art expressing how they see the streets in an exhibition called ‘Where the streets have no name.’  As South Africans we are sadly aware of the poverty of our own streets inhabited by the homeless and under-privileged.

The exhibition will take place in Johannesburg from 10–30 September at the Art and Craft Design Centre. Entry is free and a must see for all art lovers.

 Theatre with an Indian Twist

 Renowned playwright and director Ronnie Govender’s play, ‘At the Edge’, will be performed in Johannesburg at The Market Theatre from  16–26 September. Of course there is a twist to the performance.  Ronnie Govender will, for the first time, not be directing his play. There will be an Indian director taking over his role to give it an Indian interpretation, thus joining two wonderful cultures together.

Then there is the ever popular ‘Swan Lake’ to be performed at the Dance Factory in Newtown from 8–12 September. However, this is not the typical Swan Lake as we all know it, but with an Indian twist. It will be performed in Monhiniyattam style, which is a traditional South Indian dance that will be a treat for all dance and theatre lovers.

 The Well Being Experience

The tranquil and glorious Botanical Gardens will play host to ‘The Well Being Experience’. From sunrise to sunset, surrounded by the lush gardens, you will experience a calming, relaxed atmosphere that will take you on a journey of self.

There will be 10 yoga disciplines and guided meditations taught by certified practitioners. There will also be organic and ayurvedic food stalls, music performances and ayurvedic massages. Here you will experience ‘mind, body and soul purification’; something perfect for spring.

Literary Delights

‘Words on Water’ is the literary festival of Indian writers in South Africa, which is intended to mainstream the ideas of contemporary Indian writing for a South African audience. The topical issues to be discussed consist of poetry, fiction, nonfiction and migration.

There will be ‘meet the author’ opportunities as well as talks and discussion between South African and Indian writers. And once again, this reflects the bringing together of two cultures, a theme that echoes throughout the Indian Experience.  This will take place in Johannesburg at Turbine Hall, Market Theatre precinct from 24–25 September and in Cape Town at the University of the Western Cape from 20–21 September.

The Magical Mandolin Maestro Finale

‘Carnatic’ music is the South Indian form of classical music, which is rendered masterfully on an electric mandolin. The magical mandolin player is renowned musician U Shrinivas, who has been enthralling people all over the world since the age of six.

The ethereal concert will be presented in two parts. In the first segment, Shrinivas and his brother Rajesh will present compositions in the South Indian classical sense. The second segment will have you in awe when they collaborate with the KZN and Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestras.

The concerts will take place in Cape Town on 24 September at 7:30pm at the Joseph Stone Auditorium; in Durban on 22 September at 7:30pm at the City Hall; and in Johannesburg on 26 September at 5pm at the Linder Auditorium at the Wits Campus.

Celebrate the Indian Experience

There is a connecting thread between India and South Africa, something that the festival showcases in all its wonderment and entertainment. Celebrate Indian heritage with ‘The Shared History Indian Experience’ and leave with a new, richer understanding of culture and life.