Rome to say 'Namaste India' this July
- IndiaGlitz, [Wednesday,June 30 2004]
With fashion, food, wine and movies, one of the biggest India festivals would be held in Italy next month.
The "Namaste India" festival would be held in Rome between July 10-18 showcasing some of the best of Indian films, fashion, food, indigenous wines and even the tourism and culture of the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Put together by the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the festival is aimed at building a taste of India on Italian palates.
"There is a lot of attention towards India in Italy now," said Andrea Bonardi, secretary general of the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told IANS.
"People want to wear India, experience India."
That's why style guru Suneet Varma has been selected to participate in event, bringing his sashaying silks and chiffons, and sexy silhouettes to Rome and to the heart of the Italian fashion industry.
His significantly, his show would be between shows of legendary names like Valentino and Versache, pitching his rich floral embroidery and ultra-chic saris among the best in the world.
"This is one of the biggest events in my career," said Varma. "The setting is perfect, the Italians are superbly conscious about fashion and very attuned to the styles. They are great judges."
Last year, designer Tarun Tahiliani was invited to the Milan Fashion Week, where his jewelled T-shirts were a great hit.
Varma, who just finished draping 150 outfits on the members of the family of British Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal during the wedding of Mittal's daughter Vanisha in Paris last week, said going to Rome would be like going off to another extravaganza.
"I've been living on a plane for the last six months," said Varma. "But Rome is like a dream come true."
Apart from his show, the festival will have a Bollywood film festival showing flicks like "Saathiya", "Kaante", "Munnabhai M.B.B.S.", "Koi Mil Gaya" and "Bollywood Calling".
The fest would also have food from the platter of celebrity chef Rahul Akerkar and a high-level meeting between filmmakers between the two countries.
"We foresee a lot of cooperation in cinema," said Bonardi. "The Italians have always loved Indian cinema and Italian filmmakers are renowned across India."
The Andhra Pradesh government is going to display its film industry and tourism potentials at the festival, which will also have Odissi dance performances and singing by folk artiste Ila Arun.