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Hub of all good things Italian
Leonilde Callocchia promises lots of excitement at the centre over the next few months.
The quiet and lush green surroundings of the Italian Cultural Institute in Chanakyapuri sets it apart from many other similar institutes in the city. For nearly three decades now, the institute, which has shifted many addresses and is now housed in a tastefully designed building on Nyaya Marg, has brought to the city a slice of Italy through the art, cultural and food events.
Now the institute wants to broaden its horizons and incorporate Indian cultural tie-ups along with the Italian art and culture showcases. Says Leonilde Callocchia, Deputy Director, Italian Embassy Cultural Centre India: “We want to emphasise now more on what would interest Indians.” With that in mind, efforts are on but as Callocchia informs, not yet finalised.
She is excited about the forthcoming concert by Francesca Cassio and Marc Liebeskind on Music Day (June 19) organised by Alliance Francaise. “Francesca has learnt to play the tanpura and also studied Dhrupad under Ustad Rahim Fahimuddin Dagar. She has even learnt Thumri from Girija Devi. She’ll team up with Marc for a fusion of jazz and Indian music,” says Callocchia, who’s been at the Institute for the last two years.
Other than regular concerts, exhibitions, seminars and film shows, the Institute is also keen on familiarising Indians with opera. “It’s a form of art that is complete in itself. It has everything – music, dance, drama et al. Last year we staged The Barber Of Seville and it received a good response,” says the deputy director. Encouraged by the response, the Institute plans to stage The Elixir of Love by Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti sometime later this year in Mumbai and New Delhi.
Another exciting event to look forward to will be the staging of a reputed Italian playwright and director’s play Marathon, directed by Vikram Kapadia with Indian actors. To be presented at the Prithvi Theatre Festival in Mumbai in October,
Callocchia hopes they will be able to bring it to the city sometime later.
Other than the cultural events, an important aspect of the Institute are the language courses. About 400 students enrol every year for the course that is spread over one and a half years. The course helps most of the students to find a job in the tourism industry. Else, many join their family business.
But perhaps the best corner at the Institute is the cafe, which is run by Diva. Unlike at other cultural institutes, only members are allowed at the cafe, where you can dig into authentic Italian cuisine for only Rs 200-250 plus a membership fee of Rs 300 per year.
With so much to offer, this hub of all good things Italian should become a top priority for every food, culture, film and art lover.
