| Start Date: | 21 January, 2007 (Sunday) 09:00 AM |
| End Date: | 25 January, 2007 (Thursday) 09:00 PM |
| Where: |
India International Center 40, Lodhi Estate New Delhi |
| Website: | http://www.ektaramusic.com/basant07.html |
| Phone: | +91-9810379016 |
| Email: | |
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Basant Panchmi or Vasantotsav, the ancient festival of spring in India, brings festivity, singing, dancing, and beautiful colours everywhere. The yellow of mustard flowers covers miles on end in much of rural north India. Although Basant Panchmi is considered a Hindu festival, a large number of North Indian Muslims too celebrate it, especially in Sufi shrines such as that of Hazrat Nizamuddin at New Delhi. Some interesting legends are associated with 13th century poet Amir Khusrau and saint Nizamuddin Aulia for the genesis of Basant celebration amongst Muslims. There are many historical accounts of medieval India that talk of the pomp and revelry with which it was celebrated, and even supported by Mughal rulers such as Bahadur Shah Zafar and others.
We revive this colourful festival in contemporary settings at India Habitat Centre, Delhi, in the form of a day-long event with traditional music, films, visual arts and poetry connected with Basant, kite-flying, and the legend of Amir Khusrau.