maximum INDIA: A Festival of the Arts and Culture (Festival Wrapper)

PERFORMANCE GUIDES FOR EDUCATORS, FAMILIES, AND STUDENTS

A Festival of the Arts and Culture

Unity in Diversity To begin to appreciate the wonders of India, just look at the word on this cover. Notice the different scripts (letters) within each letter of “India.” They come from India’s many languages and represent the diverse peoples, beauty, complexity, history, and traditions that fuse together to form the unique entity called India. It is the unity seen in this artwork, this singular identity that has inspired people for centuries.

The land itself offers magnificent sights, from the Himalaya Mountains to the Indian Ocean and stunning architecture, from ancient Buddhist temples to the Taj Mahal, one of the world’s most recognizable structures. The culture, one of the world’s oldest, has given us music and classical Indian dance, major religions, yoga, colorful fabrics and tapestries, intricate crafts, distinct cuisines, and performances on stage and film that mesh words, music, and dance.

Through maximum INDIA, we invite you to discover, experience, and savor India’s cultural and artistic wonders, in vibrant color.

David M. Rubenstein Chairman Michael M. Kaiser President Darrell M. Ayers Vice President, Education maximum INDIA is presented in cooperation with Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi and Embassy of India, Washington, DC. Co-Chairs Indra K. Nooyi David M. Rubenstein Stephen A. Schwarzman Dr. Romesh and Kathleen Wadhwani Presenting Underwriter

The HRH Foundation Executive Council

Major support is provided by David and Alice Rubenstein.

Additional support is provided by the Trehan Foundation, Dr. Romesh and Kathleen Wadhwani, Amway Corporation, and RB Properties Inc. International Programming at the Kennedy Center is made possible through the generosity of the Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts.

Additional support for Performances for Young Audiences is provided by The U.S. Department of Education, The President's Advisory Committee on the Arts, and The Clark Charitable Foundation.

Cuesheets are made possible by the U.S. Department of Education, AT&T, the Carter and Melissa Cafritz Charitable Trust, James V. Kimsey, The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Newman’s Own Foundation, and Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. Stolwijk, and the Verizon Foundation.

www.artsedge.kennedy-center.org © 2011 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Cover photo: Ragamala Dance, Photo by Ed Bock

India is a geographical and economic entity, ‘‘ a cultural entity, a cultural unity amidst diversity, a bundle of contradictions held together by

’’

strong but invisible threads.

— Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister

Hallmarks of India’s Culture At the festival, you’ll experience India’s visual, wearable, culinary, literary, cinematic, and performing arts (that means everything from pottery to poetry, music to movies). Across this rich and varied artistic landscape, you’ll find some notable characteristics: ❖ Melodic and Rhythmic Music—Strong melodies backed by a drone (a note held steady) rather than harmony and a wide variety of complex rhythms ❖ Signature Instruments—Traditional instruments include the sitar (a stringed instrument, pictured here) and the tabla (a pair of drums) ❖ Intricate Dance—Classical dancers move the entire body (including facial muscles) and use complex footwork to create elaborate stamping rhythms ❖ Spirituality—Many classical dances and art originate from religious worship ❖ Colors—fabrics, tapestries, and artwork feature bright solid colors ❖ Cuisine—Fragrant and colorful spices and distinct ingredients distinguish cooking from India’s different regions ❖ Interrelated Arts—Sculptures might be of dancers; films or puppetry often combine spoken words, music, and dance

culture resides in the heart ‘‘A nation’s and in the soul of its people. ’’ — Mohandas K. Gandhi, considered the father of the Indian nation and worldwide icon of nonviolent protest