Sixth India by the Nile: A gateway to Indian beauty in Egypt

CAIRO – 8 March 2018: A vibrant cooperation between the Embassy of India in Egypt and Teamwork Arts are producing a packed program in this year’s India by the Nile Festival. The sixth edition will be running from March 6 to March 17 showcasing multidisciplinary performances including puppet theatre, classical and contemporary music, visual arts, food, yoga, and dance across Cairo, Alexandria, and Port Said.

The annual festival is supported by TCI Sanmar, the Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC) in partnership with Indian Council for Culture Relations, the ministries of culture and tourism, Cairo Opera House, and Bibliotheca Alexandria. This year’s edition seeks to provide audiences with an extravagant cultural experience, supporting collaborations between India and Egypt.



India by the Nile – Photo courtesy of Indian Embassy media office


“India by the Nile is a spectacular display of the classical as well as contemporary art and culture of India. IBN represents the dramatic changes taking place in India. It reaches out to audiences in Cairo and other cities to share the diversity and developments in our music and dance, theatre and films, handicrafts and arts. The biggest foreign festival in Egypt seeks to grow even bigger!” said Sanjay Bhattacharyya, ambassador of India to Egypt, in a released statement on Tuesday.

In light of celebrating the 70th year of India’s independence and diplomatic relations with Egypt, the festival is featuring a unique classic music performance conducted by the renowned Indian classical musician Amjad Ali Khan. Khan’s performance has launched in Cairo on March 8 and will be launched again at Alexandria’s Sayed Darwish Theatre on March 10.

“On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of India’s independence, we are delighted to showcase India’s cultural diversity and create opportunities for exchange and understanding between the world’s oldest cultures and civilizations,” mentioned Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, in the released statement.


India by the Nile – Photo courtesy of Indian Embassy media office


Another music performance will embark for two days as part of the festival; the Kabir Cafe will offer a unique Sufi fusion that includes a unique collective of folk musicians who will be delivering Indian folk melodies on March 11 and March 15.

This edition’s performing arts segment will be featuring an eclectic program at Cairo Opera House and Sayed DarwishTheater at Alexandria showcasing methods of playing Sarod; as well as a performance by the renowned award-winning Indian dancerMalavikaSarukkai who will be dancing in Alexandria and Cairo on March 6 and March 9 respectively.


India by the Nile – Photo courtesy of Indian Embassy media office

Other promising performances will be led by the renowned Bollywood choreographer Gilles Chuyen, conducting several dance workshops in Cairo, Alexandria, and Port Said.

The sixth edition will display a two-day film festival that will screen some of India’s prominent films targeting different types of audience on March 15 at Hanager Cinema. The films include HawaHawaai for Children and a feature film “Bahubali: the Beginning”on March 16 and “Bahbali: The Conclusion” which revolves around India’s diverse history.