MT News Service
Jammu, January 10:
Balwant Thakur-the Cultural Diplomat of India to South Africa created a history by holding record 50 (Fifty) International events in just four months. The Fiftieth programme ‘World Hindi Day’ was organised here today at the Consulate Hall of Consulate General of India, Johannesburg and his presentation ‘Munshi Prem Chand’s classic ‘Namak Kaa Daroga’ mesmerized everyone including the South African art connoisseurs. Balwant Thakur took over as the Cultural Diplomat of India to South Africa in last week of August, 2019 and is currently heading the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Johannesburg. In last four months he has virtually vibrated the entire South African region with magnificent International class Indian performances. He started his inning with the holding of Festival of India in South Africa which was held in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town cities of South Africa featuring over 70 top Indian artists including the legendary performer Padam Vibhushan Sonal Mansingh. This followed a series of programmes including South Africa Heritage Day, World Music day, Mera Bharat Meri Shaan, Gandhi Dhun, Drisha Kavya, Colors of India, Hindi Mahotsav, Constitution Day, Vishav Ekta Diwas, Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, Kahani Kavita Utsav, Dances of Bollywood, Sufi Festival, 150 Years of Mahatma Gandhi, 550 Prakash Utsav, and Festival of Indian Classical music. Coveted with the highest Indian Honour in performing arts i.e., Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for direction in theatre in addition to Padamshree, Balwant Thakur who holds a record of holding over 6000 major events gave successful tenures serving art and culture as Secretary Art, Culture and Languages Jammu & Kashmir for over Eight Years and Regional Director of Indian Council for Cultural Relations, J&K for over Six years. Considered to be the highest ever elevation of any cultural figure of J&K, Balwant Thakur currently heads Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre Johannesburg which promotes bilateral cultural linkages between India and South Africa by organizing cultural programmes, cultural seminars, workshops and training engaging India based professionals and trainers for Yoga, Indian Vocal Music and Sanskrit Classes. The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre also organises Hindi language, Tamil language, Vedic Maths, Sahajyoga and Tabla Classes with the help of local community teachers. It also conducts Yoga workshops at various venues in Johannesburg. The weekly Music Classes are also organized at Swami Narayan Temple, Mayfair and Lanaisa School of Music where there is a presence of large Indian community. Also the local music schools and local organizations are encouraged to learn and promote Indian Culture, dance forms & music, and for this SVCC provides musical instruments to the deserving ones.In order to promote Indian Culture, the Centre looks at complementing and supplementing the efforts already being made by the Indian associations and organizations in the provinces of Consulate’s jurisdiction – Gauteng, North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces.
The Library of the SVCC, Consulate General of India, Johannesburg has a large collection of books on Indian History, Great leaders of India both political and spiritual, Politics, Economy, Art, Culture, Hindi and some other Indian regional languages, Cuisine and other related topics. It has an extensive collection of Contemporary Indian Literature. It also has a fairly large collection of CD’s on Indian Music & Films. The Library collection is partially computerized. The Centre celebrates various programmes such as Republic Day on 26th January, Special days (Gandhi Jayanti, Swami Vivekananda birth anniversary, Sardar Patel Jayanti and Constitution Day etc). ICCR Foundation Day, International Day of Yoga, Hindi Diwas and Indian festivals. The Centre also supports, the programmes celebrated by the community at different places under the jurisdiction of the Consulate and has made good alliance with local dance and music schools.
The Consulate Consular hall with limited space is used for teaching classes of Hindi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Yoga, Music, Tabla etc. and occasionally for small cultural programmes, though major cultural events are organized outside by hiring of requisite venues. The Centre coordinates the ICCR Scholarship programme which is offered to deserving South African nationals in various disciplines taught at various Universities all over India. In addition, the Centre also facilities scholarships offered by other Indian institutes like Kendriya Hindi Sansthan for Hindi studies, MEA fully funded scholarships for medical training programmes for South Africa medical professionals at prestigious Indian hospitals and also for academic courses offered for by various Indian Universities/ institutes, such as Delhi University, Nalanda University etc.
