Alankara: Arts in India Tour

The Arts and Culture of India Tour for Students and Community

Wednesday, January 3 - Wednesday, January 17, 2007

   

In the South Asian sub-continent, India stands out as a premier example of a successful secular democracy of a billion people. Here the traditional and the modern seamlessly blend in daily life. From the booming industries of technology and fashion to the century's old traditions found in its art and heritage, India is like no other place on earth.

Some of the highlights of the Alankara: Arts in India Tour will include:

Beginning in Mumbai (previously known as Bombay), you'll see historic Gothic architectural buildings built during British Raj. After touring three prominent museums: the Gandhi, Prince of Wales and Victoria and Albert, you'll visit the Elephanta Island cave temples. Also included are a lunch at Taj Hotel by the Gateway of India, and a visit to a Kotchiwadi coastal village. You'll enjoy an evening at the Bayside Jazz Club where you can meet local people and artists.

Kochi in the State of Kerala is called God's own paradise. We will have a guided tour of the city visiting the grave of Vasco De Gama, St. Francis Church, The Fort, The Dutch Palace, and Jew Town. During a cruise of the backwaters, we'll stop for an Ayurvedic massage at Coconut Lagoon and wander through the spice and tea plantations in Northern Kerala. Other activities include a visit to a boat building shipyard, a concert of Kathakali dance, martial arts demos, music and even a Kerala cooking demonstration.

Jaipur, the Pink City in the desert region of North India will be our next stop. After flying across India we'll take a ride on an elephant to the Amber Fort, view the planets from the Astrological Observatory and visit the Maharaja's city palace to see traditional visual and craft artists at work. Jaipur has some of the best shoppling for jewels and carpets. Visit an International School, dance, listen to music and meet great people. Best of all, we stay at the first class Jai Mahal palace hotel.

On the road again we'll arrive at Fatehpur Sikri, the original capital city built by Emperor Akbar. A visit to the Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal in historic Agra city is the best exposure to the sheer beauty, romance and artistry of Mughal India. During our stay at convention center Jaypee palace hotel, we'll see an evening perfomance of Kathak dance.

Delhi, capital of India, will be our final stop. The ancient and the modern, traditional and cutting edge are constantly juxtaposed in this ever enlarging city. At the Park hotel, in the center of New Delhi, we'll take a sight seeing tour of historic Delhi sites, visit the National Museum and the Modern Art Gallery.

Alankara: Arts India Study Tour is presented by the Asian Arts & Culture Program at the Fine Arts Center in partnership with the International Programs Office at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

The tour is managed by Travel Corporation (India) Ltd. India's premier destination Management Company with offices in every city in India.

Ranjanaa Devi, Director for the Asian Arts and Culture Program will lead the Arts in India tour. Native born and educated in India she is fluent in several Indian languages. An internationally known performer, choreographer and educator in South Asian performing arts, her knowledge of India, and her vast network of political, artistic and educational circles makes this tour experience a unique one. See India from a perspective unavailable to the average tourist.