JEDDAH – A huge gathering of nearly 5000 people, including hundreds of Saudis, turned out to celebrate the 5000-year-long Arab – India friendship at the inaugural session of the Saudi India Festival in Jeddah on Friday.
A cultural fiesta, featuring mesmerizing performances of around 200 Saudi and Indian artists, mostly tiny tots, enthralled the audience, who packed the auditorium and spilled over to the vast campus of International Indian School Boys’ Section in Al-Rehab district. Indian Consul General Mohammad Shahid Alam was the Chief Guest at the Saudi India Festival Season 1, themed “5K Camaraderie,” organized by the Consulate General of India, in collaboration with Goodwill Global Initiative (GGI).
In his keynote address, the Consul General underscored that the new generation should learn the 5000-year-long shared history, culture and relationship between Arabia and India and preserve it for the posterity. “As an Indian citizen and consul general of India, I feel immensely proud of these special relationships and bonds that serve as the foundation for all our relationships. Today India and Saudi Arabia are strategic partners, with scoring great strides in economic relationship, manifested in the exchange of frequent highest level bilateral visits.
Commending GGI for taking initiative to organize such a grand festival, Shahid Alam hailed the remarkable achievements of prominent Saudis of Indian origin who came and settled down more than 100 years ago and became part and parcel of modern Saudi Arabia. “We decided to celebrate the remarkable achievements and laurels of these Saudis together with the talent of the Indian diaspora in the Kingdom,” he added.
Special guests at the session were Madam Consul General Dr. Shakeela Shahid; Adil Hamza Malaibari, general supervisor of Madrasa Sawlatiya and supervisor of Madrasa Malaibariya in Makkah; Tarek Mishkhes, editor in chief of Malayalam News; Siraj Wahab, managing editor of Arab News; Dr. Akila Sarirete, dean of the college of engineering at Effat University; and Dr. Ghadeer Talal Melibari, assistant professor of Umm Al Qura University.
The guests of the evening also included Consul of Hajj and HOC Muhammed Abdul Jaleel, Consul of Chancery Project and PIC Mohammed Hashim, Mohammed Alungal, president of Abeer Medical Group and patron of GGI, Ataullah Farouqi, Sheikh Abdurahim Maulana, Mohammed Saied Melibari, Abdul Rahman Abdullah Yousuf, IISJ Managing Committee Chairman Prince Mufti Ziaul Hasan, IISJ Principal Dr. Muzaffar Hassan, Rahim Pattarkadavan, CEO of Cluster Arabia and vice patron of GGI, Aziz Ur Rab, general manager of Abdullah Hashim Company, Rafeeq Mohammed Ali, regional director of Lulu Group, Riaz Mulla, general manager of IGNOU regional center, Abul Latheef Kappungal of NComforts, and KT Aboobacker, general manager of Insaf Company and vice president of GGI.
GGI President Hassan Cheruppa presided over the inaugural session while General Secretary Ishaque Poondoli proposed a vote of thanks.
Screening of a historic documentary was a major highlight of the festival. It delved into the 5,000-year-long Arab-Indian roots and routes. This narrative traversed the ancient Spice Route, Silk Road, and Incense Route, culminating in the elevation of the relationship to a strategic partnership on the world’s second-largest migration corridor encompassing India and the Gulf Cooperation Council States. The chosen theme, ‘camaraderie,’ reflected the mutual trust and intimate friendship that binds Arabs and Indians, with roots extending back five millennia.
Vice patrons of GGI Asim Zeeshan conducted a quiz program while Zakariya Biladi supervised the B2C exhibition. The exciting live interactive fun-filled quiz on Saudi India relations, was hosted on the popular Kahoot platform where the audience was tested for their knowledge on the deep-rooted ties between KSA and India. A large number of people visited the pavilions of B2C exhibitions and food stalls that showcased Indian products and companies as well as Indian cuisine fostering Indo-Arab trade. Prominent Saudi and Indian brands like Abdullah Hashim Company, VFS Global, Key Rent A Car, Himalaya, Hamdard, and IGNOU showcased their products and services.
A coloring and poster making contest was also conducted for kids, where hundreds of young participants demonstrated their creative skills. A mesmerizing art display, from Saudi and Indian artists, was showcased leaving the audience in awe. Consul General presented mementos to sponsors, Phenom Academy, and Good Hope Arts Academy, choreographer Rahmath Muhammad Alungal, Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki, and the masters of ceremony, as well as trophies to performers. Jaleel Kannamangalam, Al-Murthu, Sadiqali Thuvvur and Shiyas coordinated the cultural programs while Kabeer Kondotty, Abu Kattuppara, Aruvi Mongam, A.M. Abdullakkutty, Noufal Palakkoth, and Ebrahim Shamnad coordinated the logistics of the event. Majed Abdullah Al-Yazide and Habeeba Yasmini were the masters of the ceremony.
Arab and Indian artists stole the show
The atmosphere was extremely exhilarating as the beautifully orchestrated performances by around 200 talented artists kept the audience enthralled throughout the five-hour long audio-visual treat. The cultural extravaganza featured a wide variety of Arab and Indian traditional dances and folk performances.
The mesmerizing performances of the 16-member ‘Sautul Mamlaka’ Folk Performing Arts Troupe, led by Fadi Saad Al-Hawsavi, stole the show. They enthralled the audience with their unique and breathtaking performances of Saudi traditional folk art forms such as Bahri, Mizmari, Khubaiti, Dosari and Khutwa Janoubiya.
The audience enjoyed the impressive and enthralling performances such as Bharatanatyam, Gujarati, Punjabi, Rajastani, and Kashmiri dances, Kerala nadanam, fusion oppana, Duff Muttu, Kolkali, oppana, welcome dance, Sufi and qawali performances, choreographed mainly by Rahmath Muhammad Alungal, who is also convener of GGI ladies wing. Well-known singers Jamal Pasha, Mohammed Sikander Ali, Mirza Sharif and Mumtaz Abdurahman made impressive performances with their melodious songs.
