Ambassador Muhammad Ahmed Tayyib, director general of the Foreign Ministry’s branch in Makkah region, Indian Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai and other consuls general cut the customary cake to mark the 65th Republic Day of India at a function in Jeddah, Sunday evening. — Courtesy photo

Hassan Cheruppa

Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH – Attendees at a colorful ceremony to mark India’s 65th Republic Day in Jeddah on Sunday evening had the unique opportunity to go down memory lane and understand the centuries-old historic relations between Saudi Arabia and India as well as experience an Indian classical fusion of music and dance.



Ambassador Muhammad Ahmed Tayyib, director general of the Foreign Ministry’s branch in Makkah region, was the chief guest at the reception hosted by Indian Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai and his wife Kausar at the Park Hyatt Hotel.



Several prominent figures, including consuls general, diplomats, Indian consulate staff, community leaders, senior executives and business leaders attended the reception.



In his speech, Tayyib spoke about the historic relations between the two countries.



He said: “I have seen a lot of things in common in the traditions and cultures of both these great nations.



“These incredible commonalities and my experiences will definitely find a place in my memoirs that I plan to pen down when I retire from service.”



Commending India’s unique unity and strength, Tayyib said the historic visits of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to India and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Saudi Arabia laid solid foundations for the strategic relations between the two countries.



“Saudi Arabia is proud to have such relations with the largest democracy in the world. “There are a lot of opportunities to develop these relations further and both countries should seize every opportunity in this regard,” he said.



Hailing the major role being played by some 3 million Indian expatriates, who make up about one-third of the total expatriates in the Kingdom, in the nation’s development march, Tayyib noted that Indians were the largest beneficiaries of the amnesty announced by King Abdullah to regulate the Kingdom’s employment market.



In his speech, Kidwai thanked King Abdullah and other leaders and people of Saudi Arabia for their great support to the Indian community.



He also highlighted the significance of further enhancing cooperation between the two countries in various fields.



Head of Chancery and Consul Education Mohammed Raghib Qureshi gave a vote of thanks.



An Indian classical fusion performance, depicting the rich and diverse tradition and culture of India, was staged with grandeur and gusto on the occasion. The performance, a mixture of Indian music and dance and based on a concept of unity without uniformity and diversity without fragmentation, stole the show.



The dance part, consisting of Mohiniyattam from south India and Kathak from north India, was staged in a contemporary style highlighting the message of unity and love.



The spectacular climax of the fusion, with the national song of Vande Mataram and a flag hoisting ceremony with a beautiful dance posture of students, won wide applause from the audience.



Some 20 students from International Indian School-Jeddah participated in the event. They were Jafna Razak, Sneha Unni, Maria George, Bhagya Lakshmi Anand, Rania Madari, Angitha Jomon, Athira Sudesh, Juliet Joyichan, Lavanya Bhala Krishnan, Arsu Ayoob, Sreya Vinod, Amal Mustaq, Varsha Rajan, Veena Rajan, Vedika Murali, Abhinaya Rajan ,Karishma Murali, Aishwarya Bala Subramaniam, Raksha Ramkumar and Kavya Suresh. T.M Srividya supported them.



The well-known director and winner of the world drama competition Anil Narayana directed and conceived the fusion, which was choreographed by popular choreographer Shelna Vijay as well as famous dance teacher and gold medalist in the Bharathanatyam dance form Pushpa Suresh.



There was also a musical fusion that aimed to convey the feeling of unity in diversity.



Musical instrument Mridangam was played by Maruthorvattom Anandakrishnan while Mahboo Kavanur was on the Tabla, and brothers Razin Rafeek and Rakib Rafeek worked on Jazz pad and Organ respectively.



Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Anil Narayana, who coordinated the program, attributed the success of their program to Kausar Kidwai’s supervision. “We won accolades even from representatives of other consulates, mainly for our superb concept, thanks to the wonderful stage performance of our young artists,” he said.

 

— Syeda Amtul also contributed to the report