Relations between India and Cyprus have been traditionally very close and friendly. India has been supporting the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and democratic choice exercised by the people of Cyprus. In recent years, relations between the two countries have been reinforced with several bilateral mechanisms and set up for regular interaction on issues of mutual interest. Regular high-level exchange of visits between the two countries have led to expansion and strengthening of bilateral cooperation. The Presidents of the Republic of Cyprus viz. Arch Bishop Makarios (1962), Spyros Kyprianou (1982, 1983 and 1984), George Vassiliou (1989) and Glofcos Clerides (1997), paid state visits to India. From India,President VV Giri (1972) and President R. Venkataraman (1988) visited Cyprus.Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s historic visit in September 1983 is recalled as a significant milestone in India’s relations with Cyprus. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee also visited Cyprus in October 2002. Five agreements in the areas ofHealth, Post and Telecommunications, Science & Technology, Information Technology and Cultural Exchange Programme were signed to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Providing further impetus to mutual understanding and cooperation,
In Cyprus, there is an unbelievable great wealth of dance melodies, as Cypriot researches on the topic, have recorded more than 70 different “Syrtoi” and“Zeimbekikoi” dances. In the past, households did not have a running water supply for everyday use. A spring or “Vrisi”, as called, was used by the whole village. Young women would go to the ‘Vrisi’ to fill their pitchers or pots with water. There they would meet the young men they loved. These love encounters ‘chance–meeting’ are the subject of dance ‘The Pitcher’ or ‘Kouza’ or ‘Stamna’ as is called in Cypriot dialect which has been depicted in the Cypriot stamp.
The illustration on the Indian stamp depicts a famous folk dance called ‘Nati’. It is the most popular folk dance of Himachal Pradesh in India. It derives its name fromSanskrit word “Natya and Nritya”. It is a dance for amateurs who have no audience in view and who dance inclusively for their own pleasure and satisfaction. Unlike classical dances, there are no rules in these dances and minor variations are pleasantly done to suit the local taste and talent. Men and women, old and young alike join this community dance at the time of festivals, marriages and other celebrations.
No comments:
Post a Comment