PM Modi to host mega cultural programme for Xi Jinping; Details here

A cultural programme will be hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in honour of the President of China Xi Jinping on Friday, October 11 at the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. The programme will consist of six different cultural performances including multiple dance performances, a prayer, a devotional song, and a play.

Alarippu

‘Alarippu’ is a dance performance that symbolizes the offering of respect to God, teacher, and the audience. It is accompanied by the recitation of Sol-fa syllables. Performances of Indian classical dance form ‘Bharatnatyam’ include Alarippu in the opening sequence.

Purappadu

‘Purappadu is a component of the initial part of a ‘Kathakali’ dance performance. In ‘Puraddapu’, the dancer expresses themselves through various hand gestures and facial expressions which closely follow the verses that are being recited. The performance is marked by high-tempo music, quick foot movements, and vigorous drumbeats. 

Sethubandhanam

‘Sethubandhanam’ is an excerpt from Rukhmini Devi’s six-part series on ‘Ramayana’. This scene is from ‘MahaPattabhishekam’ which was choreographed in the year 1970 by Rukhmini Devi. It depicts the building of the bridge across the sea to Lanka - ‘Sethubandhanam’ - by Sugreeva, Hanuman, Jambavan, and others. The lyrics are in Sanskrit and have been taken from Valmiki’s Ramayan.

Bajo re Bhaiyya Ram Govind Hari

This is a ‘Bhajan’ (a devotional song) composed by the 15th-16th Century Indian mystic and Saint ‘Kabir’. It exalts the worship of Lord Rama.

Tillana

This is a dance performance based on the rhythm patterns of a famous composition called 'Shanti Nilava Vendum', which seeks to promote the message of peace and harmony.

Shanthi Nilava

Shanthi Nilava Vendum is a prayer for global peace which was Mahatma Gandhi’s cherished objective. 

READ | PM Modi arrives in Chennai, says 'gladdened to see TN host Xi Jinping'

READ | PM Modi-Xi Jinping Meet: Mamallapuram gears up for 2nd informal summit

PM Modi in Chennai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday landed in Chennai ahead of his second informal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Taking to Twitter shortly after landing in Chennai, PM Modi said that he feels happy to be in the great land of Tamil Nadu. The Prime Minister went on to say that he is gladdened that Tamil Nadu is going to host the Chinese President. He further hoped for the informal summit in Mamallapuram to strengthen ties between India and China.

READ | PM Modi-Xi summit: Key locations for the meeting at Mamallapuram

READ | Ahead of Modi-Xi Summit, China makes big 'Asian Century' statement