"This is a follow up to the cooperation in the form of an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) between the Ayodhya Research Institute and the Indonesian Hindu University (Unhi) in Denpasar. So, every year, representatives from Unhi are invited to perform in India," said Rector of Unhi Denpasar I Made Damriyasa MS in Denpasar, Wednesday.
The celebration of Deepavali is routinely held every year across the world from November 4 to 7. In India, the peak of the celebrations happen on November 6.
The three-day event was attended by officials from the Uttar Pradesh region, including Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. A number of representatives of state leaders from a number of countries, including Korea, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, Laos and Cambodia, were also involved in the international event, were also present at Celebration of Light, centered in the Ayodhya region, India.
Damriyasa stated that since last year, the Denpasar Hindu Indonesia University arts team have been regularly invited to perform in India to enliven the Deepavali celebration.
"This year we performed twice, both in the cities of Lucknow and Ayodhya in the Deepavali series of events and we are the only ones representing Bali and Indonesia to appear in the international art event. This is also a form of commitment to realize Unhi Denpasar`s vision as a center of study for Hindu religion and culture, as well as concrete steps to go international towards becoming a world class university," he said.
This time around, Unhi Denpasar arts team presented the Kecak dance with the epic story of the Ramayana. "This is a tangible manifestation of our effort to preserve and further expand Indonesian Hindu arts and culture. In addition, this event is a vehicle for students to mentally train them to perform in the international stage," he said.
This year, the Unhi Denpasar arts team dispatched 33 of their members, consisting of lecturers and 20 selected students from the Faculty of Religion and Arts Education. Chancellor Damriyasa and Vice Chancellor III of Student Affairs and Cooperation I Wayan Muka, along with the secretary of the Widya Kerti Educational Foundation Dewa Ketut Budiana.
Reporting By Ni Luh Rhismawati
Editing by A Cindyara
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
