Sydney:
With the recent spate of attacks on Indians, the Australian government is adopting cultural diplomacy to calm tempers in India - by bringing in Indian artists like Rahman for the annual Sydney Festival.
Other notable participants are the Manganiyars, who have come all the way to Sydney from Rajasthan. The theatrical spectacle is an instant hit in 33-year-old Sydney Festival, arguably Australia's largest annual cultural celebrations.
"We have got a phenomenal response to the programme," says Roysten Abel, director, Manganiyar Seduction.
The fest usually showcases home grown art and domestic gigs that have made it to the international stage. Indian folk is a first here.
"It's so good that they have come from so far and shared their culture and music with us," says one of the enthusiast.
But the bigger magic is unfolding a few kilometres away, where rehearsing for the huge Saturday night concert is none other than music maestro A R Rahman.
"A concert is an event where all communities come together and want to share happiness," says Rahman.
The Australian government hopes that by bringing in Indian artists like Rahman, it could improve the cultural ties between the two countries and eventually minimise the diplomatic strains caused by the recent attacks on the Indian students.
Indians are the biggest foreign students community in Australia. In 2009 95,000 Indian students enrolled themselves in Australian universities.
The Indian Information Technology force there has an even bigger presence, which account for over 50 oer cent of Australia's total IT workers.
Also, the Indo-Australian trade is worth over a mammoth 8 billion dollars So, for Australia, peaceful and cordial ties with India is an economic compulsion.
But can cultural tokenism heal what has become a mini war for opportunities and personal growth between Australians and the immigrants?
Other notable participants are the Manganiyars, who have come all the way to Sydney from Rajasthan. The theatrical spectacle is an instant hit in 33-year-old Sydney Festival, arguably Australia's largest annual cultural celebrations.
"We have got a phenomenal response to the programme," says Roysten Abel, director, Manganiyar Seduction.
The fest usually showcases home grown art and domestic gigs that have made it to the international stage. Indian folk is a first here.
"It's so good that they have come from so far and shared their culture and music with us," says one of the enthusiast.
But the bigger magic is unfolding a few kilometres away, where rehearsing for the huge Saturday night concert is none other than music maestro A R Rahman.
"A concert is an event where all communities come together and want to share happiness," says Rahman.
The Australian government hopes that by bringing in Indian artists like Rahman, it could improve the cultural ties between the two countries and eventually minimise the diplomatic strains caused by the recent attacks on the Indian students.
Indians are the biggest foreign students community in Australia. In 2009 95,000 Indian students enrolled themselves in Australian universities.
The Indian Information Technology force there has an even bigger presence, which account for over 50 oer cent of Australia's total IT workers.
Also, the Indo-Australian trade is worth over a mammoth 8 billion dollars So, for Australia, peaceful and cordial ties with India is an economic compulsion.
But can cultural tokenism heal what has become a mini war for opportunities and personal growth between Australians and the immigrants?
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
