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Munesu Nyakudya Review Correspondent
Cultural interaction between Zimbabwe and India has become somewhat unidirectional with Indian groups visiting Zimbabwe largely for the Harare International Festival of Arts (HIFA) among other events while no Zimbabwe groups go to India. Zimbabwe India Chamber of Commerce vice chairman Nhau George Chistinde said the Indians have been very active on Zimbabwe’s arts scene.
“In the last five years, a Goan folk music and dance troupe; and a classical music group led by world renowned Shujaat Hussein Khan; a Kuchipudi dance troupe led by Ms Sailaja and an Odissi troupe led by Ms Reela Hota, a 5-member Kathak troupe led by TV Frame, Ms Prachee S Shah visited Zimbabwe to participate during Harare International Festival of Arts held from May 1-5 2007” he said.
“According to Ministry of Commerce and Industry website and Foreign Trade statistics of India, directorate general of commercial intelligence and statistics, Kolkata and Zim Trade/Zimstat Zimbabwe and India signed an agreement in 1981 which facilitated cultural exchange programmes for the years 1992 to 1994.
“In 2008, two cultural troupes sponsored by the International Cooperation on Cosmetic Regulation ICCR visited Zimbabwe — a seven-member Bhajan Group of Agnihotri Bandhu in March 2008 and a twelve member Gujarati Folk Dance Group “Panghat” in October 2008.
“A five-member Kathak troupe led by Ms S Mehta participated in 2009 and a 12-member Gujarati Folk Dance Troupe led by Mr Shivajibhai Bhoye participated at annual HIFA programme from April 27 to May 3, 2010.
“A 12-member Bhangra troupe, sponsored by the International Cooperation on Cosmetic Regulation, participated in Harare International Festival of the Arts HIFA in 2012,” Chitsinde added
He added that another International Cooperation on Cosmetic Regulation sponsored Gujarati dance troupe also gave around half a dozen performances in Zimbabwe in November 2012. A Rajasthani dance troupe participated in Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) in May 2014 and another ICCR- sponsored Gujarati dance performed at HIFA Harare International Festival of the Arts in 2015.
“A photo exhibition ‘My Land My People’ curated by Raghu Rai was also displayed in Harare. Another photo exhibition titled ‘Churches and Christian Culture of Goa’ was organised at National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare from February 12 to March 4, 2015. India has also been participating in international film festivals in Zimbabwe. Embassy organised successfully in Chancery premises first International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2015 in collaboration with Art of Living and Brahma Kumari’s Raj Yoga Centre.”
Mr Chitsinde also said three editions of Indian Food Festival were held successfully at Meikles Hotel, in November 2012, October 2013 and October 2014 by the embassy in collaboration with ITDC.
Indian Tourist Office Johannesburg participated in World Tourism Expo in Harare on June 18-20, 2015 and for the second consecutive year won the Best Overall Stand Award. Two editions of Indian Handicrafts Exhibitions were organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, India, in collaboration with the embassy in Harare in November 2012 and September-October 2013.
Mr Chitsinde says Zimbabwe lacks the resources to reciprocate and he hopes that it will be possible to come up with a plan to also get Zimbabwean groups to go to India.
Zimbabwe has strong cultural exchanges with many countries including China, the US, Italy, the Nordic countries as well as fellow African countries. Some examples are mbira star Stella Chiweshe who is based in Germany where she commands a good following. Sculptors like Dominic Benhura have also garnered international acclaim through exposure to different places in the world.
With one of the most populous nations in the world, India would offer a great growth opportunity for any Zimbabwean artist lucky enough to find themselves a fan base there.
Online Reporter