Over 145 people from 22 dancing ensembles from Russian and CIS cities will gather in St. Petersburg, chairperson of the contest's executive committee Yulia Beshchuk said. Both professionals and young dancers will participate in the contests. The youngest participant, Devika Data, is three years old, Ms. Beshchuk noted.
The participants will rival in four categories: classical dance, classical dance stylization, folk dance and movie dance.
According to Yulia Beshchuk, only this contest offers local residents a unique possibility to see the great variety of Indian dances: from classical temple dances, which date back to the ancient times, to modern disco dances.
The 1st international congress on Indian dances will be held during the contest. It will be attended by officials of the Indian philology chair of St. Petersburg University and representatives of the Indian Consulate General in St. Petersburg. They will speak about the history of Indian dances in Russia and demands to their performers.
Moreover, the contest program includes master-classes on different styles of Indian dancing and a photo exhibition on multinational India's life.
"Indian movies, which have always been popular in Russia, boosted the formation of the Indian dancing school in Russia. A possibility to learn this art from native Indians emerged only in the late 1990s. Professional ensembles and teachers appeared in Russia at that time," Yulia Beshchuk said adding that there were many fans of Indian dancing in St. Petersburg at the moment.
The contest is organized by the St. Petersburg Federation of Modern and Pop dances, the Indian Consulate General, the St. Petersburg International Cooperation Association and the Society of Cultural Links with India.
