A cultural feast awaited the audience in the packed hall of Siri Fort auditorium, New Delhi. From the word go, a superb laser display captured the show with lights flashing 2008 and a bird that seemed to fly over the heads of the audience. In the background were two screens depicting the best architecture of Russia and Indiathe Kremlin and Taj Mahal respectively. Then followed a spellbinding ballet recital by a team of Russiansbringing back memories of ace ballet dancers Dame Margot Fonteyn and the Russian Rudolph Nureyev.

Among the spectacular dancers were Anastasia and Denis Matvienko who gave ‘hemselves wholeheartedly to i piece called Grand pas liana and Acteon from smeralda. Other show stoppers were Spring Waters performed with elan by Elena Evseeva and Marat

Shemiunov, and Adiago from the Spartacus, rendered by the same duo.

The solos too attracted attention, particularly the famous Dying Swan, effectively performed by Ulyana Lopatkina.

The sets garnered interest, particularly the backdrops of the Winter Palace and Bolshoi Theatre, Russia.

The credit for the delightful show must go to the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. The show marked the closing ceremony of the Year of Russia in India. In the course of the last one year, a group of Russians showcased the best of Russian culture in various parts of Indiaballet, theatre, fashion theatre, youth circus, dance, vocals, band and folk choir.

Of course dignitaries too had their say at the start of the memorable evening. In short and sweet speeches -- a welcome departure from the

norm -- Indian president Pratibha Devsingh Patil; President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev; and Dr Karan Singh, president of ICCR, gave brief outlines of the importance of Russia to India.

As the Indian president said. “This is a one of its kind performance and brings the diversity of Russian culture to India.. .In our country there is tremendous appreciation of classic and contemporary Russian authors."

Medvedev gave a brief speech: “This is a remarkable and festive occasion. It will go a long way in projecting a modem and dynamic Russia."

Dr. Karan Singh also expressed his view on the Indian-Russia partnership. In particular, he cited Russia's affinity for India and vice versa. Among the instances he gave were those of Rabindranath Tagore, Leo Tolstoy-Gandhi and Raj Kapoor-Nargis, popular icons

in Russia. Clearly this is a valid point of view. On delving into the internet one finds that in 1930 Tagore went to Moscow at the invitation of the Soviet government. In fact, the National Poet went so far as to say, “If I did not come to Russia, life's pilgrimage would have remained incomplete.”

Likewise Leo Tolstoy and Gandhi corresponded regularly. Both had similar views on truth, and morality and both had the same heroes Mohammad(PBUH) Buddha and Socrates. Russia also had a love for Indian cinema, particularly the films of Raj Kapoor and Nargis. In fact, Kapoor's "Mera Naam Joker” became a big hit in the country. No wonder that Dr Singh said, “The India-Russia relationship is one of enduring goodwill."

And cultural ties between the two countries will be further cemented when the Festival of India is celebrated next year in Russia.