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India pavilion at Global Village a crowd-puller

DUBAI - Set against the backdrop of the grandeur and heritage of Rajasthan's ancient forts and palaces, the India Pavilion at Global Village has proved to be a major crowd-puller during the Dubai Shopping Festival with the replicas of the historic Rajasthan landmark Hawa Mahal and the Palace On Wheels being reportedly the most photographed sites among the visitors.

A fusion of cultural programmes at the India stage have opened to a packed audience every evening, particularly during the weekends with a large number of Punjabi and Bhangra folk artistes enthralling the visitors.

More than 2,000 children from Indian schools in Dubai and Sharjah have presented the cultural vignettes of the country through folk, classical, film and patriotic songs and dances. In addition, a 30-member troupe from Rajasthan, including musicians, singers and dancers at the entrance of the pavilion, have added colour and flavour to the programmes. A pulsating rock musical is slated to be held this weekend with Carlyto Mohini and Vikas Bhalla, both upcoming yet popular Indi-pop artistes taking centre stage today and tomorrow.

Visitors are also grabbing the wide array of shopping opportunities at the pavilion. On offer are antique rosewood furniture, silver furniture and home furnishings, handloom textiles, silk fabrics, health and Ayurvedic products, jewellery, decorative items, coir, jute and coconut products, woodwork, silver, brass and copper, sandalwood, terra-cotta and ceramic pieces, kitchenware, foodstuff and fashion garments. An additional 15 stalls display delectable Indian cuisine and snacks including those from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Punjab.

This year, the official organisers, Indian Association Dubai, has partnered the government of Rajasthan in an effort to showcase the state's vibrant culture, monuments, festivals and flavours. Built at an estimated cost of Dh1.9 million, the India Pavilion, opposite the amphitheatre spreads over an area of 6,360 square metres with the Amer Fort in Jaipur making up the central theme and 190 stalls designed on the same pattern as the famous Johri Bazaar of Jaipur. The Phulkari stall, with elaborate cutwork items, exquisitely crafted silver furniture and trendy costume jewellery by Katyani Crafts International, have all been very popular among the visitors this year.

At the India Pavilion, traditional architecture has blended with the modern with the Birla Auditorium making the 86-metre wide and 17 metre high facade at the entrance of the Indian pavilion. The exclusive Rajasthan Village with 15 stalls offering the very best of its items in marble, marionettes, precious stones, quilts, lac items and miniature paintings have also been instant hit with the visitors. The Eid holidays have been witnessing an enormous rush of visitors to the Rajasthani mehendi artistes inside the Rajasthani Village.

K.V. Shankar, Secretary, Coordination, IAD said that the response of the visitors to the India Pavilion was 'overwhelming.' More than 1.7 million people were expected to visit the Indian Pavilion during the 32-day festival. The Indian Pavilion had been declared the Best Pavilion in 1999 and in 2002. In 2001, it had been awarded for the best activities within the pavilion.