Dravid opens India Now
Pti, London
A replica of Taj Mahal sailed down the river Thames here today in a rousing start to the three- month long festivities focussing on India's rich art, culture and lifestyle and aimed at cementing the British capital's age-old ties with the "emerging economic superpower".The India Festival launched by Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty, London Mayor Ken Livingstone and Indian cricket captain Rahul Dravid will feature over 1,500 events dedicated to Indian art, film, theatre, music, fashion, food and business. The replica of the white marble monument of love was created by Bollywood film-set designer BD Gupta and was launched on a barge from Vauxhall to London Bridge, passing through many of London's iconic landmarks. The festival will see over 200 cultural organizations contributing to the season, including a selection of London's most well known museums and galleries such as the British Museum and Victoria and Albert museum. Over one million Londoners are expected to take part in the events. The number of Londoners of Indian origin was over 4.3 lakh last year- accounting for six per cent of the capital's population and making it the largest national minority community in the city Standing at approximately six metres high and eight metres long, the intricate replica of the Taj Mahal received a contemporary artistic treatment by Bollywood set designer, Gupta and modern Indian artist, Suchi Chidambaram. A one metre high plinth supports the Taj Mahal, hand painted by Suchi Chidambaram, with modern Indian and London city scenes.
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