INDO-ARMENIAN FRIENDSHIP NGO
Relationship Inspired
RASAMANJARI: An Indo-Armenian Gala Concert
On the 31st of March 2022, Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO and the Indian Cultural Centre, in partnership with the Embassy of India in Armenia organized RASAMANJARI: An Indo-Armenian Gala Concert.
The event was dedicated to the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Armenia, the 75th Anniversary of India's Independence (aka Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav), and the 10th Anniversary of Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO.
The Gala Concert took place at the iconic Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall in Yerevan. Several dignitaries and official representatives attended the event, including the Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia HE. Mr Mnatsakan Safaryan, and Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Mr Arthur Martorosyan.
Members of the Armenian Parliament and representatives of 'Armenia-India Parliamentary Friendship Group' Mr Narek Babayan and Mrs Tsovinar Vardanyan were also present, along with representatives from the Defence Ministry of Armenia.
HE Kishan Dan Dewal, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Government of India to the Republic of Armenia was also present, along with other staff of the embassy.
We were also pleased to have honoured guests from respected educational institutions, including the Yerevan State University, the Mkhitar Heratsi Yerevan State Medical University (YSMU), Russian-Armenian University of Armenia (RAU), among others.
The evening commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries, followed by the national anthems of India and Armenia.
Mr Rananjay Anand, Co-Founder and President of Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO and Indian Cultural Centre welcomed the guests and spoke about the importance of the occasion. His Excellency KD Dewal also gave his opening remarks, talking in depth about the 75th anniversary of India's Independence and 30 years of Indo-Armenian bilateral ties. The audience also got valuable inputs from our esteemed guests Mr Safaryan and Mr Babayan.
A special performance dedicated to the fallen heroes by the Quartet of Song and Dance Ensemble of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia kickstarted the evening's program.
Peter Davidian, a talented Armenian musician and Sitar player from Australia who traces his roots to Calcutta (India), was the special guest artist during the program. He performed Indian and Armenian music through the sweet sounds of the sitar.
During the over two-hour Gala event, the rich cultural heritage of India and Armenia was also presented by professional Armenian blul (sring) player Avag Margaryan, who performed fusion numbers along with Peter and other musicians.
Mr Vatsal Parashar, an Indian Tabla player based in Georgia also joined the musicians accompanied by Armenian dhol (drum) player r Levon Harutyunyan.
The house-full audience also had the chance to hear mesmerizing performances by singers Ms Raksha Jha and Ms Veronika Torosyan.
Indian Cultural Centre's song and dance group "SHAKTI" also performed several Indian classical and Bollywood numbers, while Armenian national song and dance ensembles "AKNER" and "Apricot Tree" provided the local folk dance flavor in the event.
On behalf of the Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO and the Indian Cultural Centre, we thank the Embassy of India in Armenia for their cooperation and support.
Our special gratitude to the staff of the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall for their invaluable partnership and to all the artists, participants, and volunteers without whom the event would not have been a success.