Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture

Brief on IGCIC

THE INDIRA GANDHI CENTRE FOR INDIAN CULTURE

The Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture (IGCIC) functions under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), an autonomous body under the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture is also the Cultural Wing of the High Commission of India in Mauritius. The Centre was established in 1987 in Quatre Bornes before moving into its own building in 2002. The new premises of IGCIC at Phoenix was inaugurated on March 11, 2000 by Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India and Dr Navin Chandra Ramgoolam, the Prime Minister of Mauritius. The entire area of the IGCIC is 20000 sq.m with a unique structure reflecting the beauty of the Indian architecture in a lush green layout.

The IGCIC consists of the following:

An air-conditioned and fully equipped auditorium of a capacity of 669 seats and a large stage.

A large Foyer in the Centre used for gatherings.

A multipurpose hall with approx. 250 seating space.

A Seminar Room with seating capacity of 100.

An Exhibition Room to exhibit Paintings etc.

Three airy and spacious classrooms.

One Ayush Cell ( Ayurveda & Homeopathy ).

An Office space, Canteen and a well-equipped kitchen.

A well-stocked Library with over fourteen thousand books and reading & lending facilities.

The Complex providing One Residence Quarter for the Director and Eight Quarters for the Teachers apart from garage facilities & Servants' Quarters.

Aims and Objectives

The main objectives of the IGCIC are as follows :

to promote bilateral relations through cultural activities

to strengthen the cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and Mauritius

to create awareness of India's cultural heritage among the people of Mauritius

to foster closer links between India and Mauritius through cultural exchanges.

Teaching Programme

The Centre has an active teaching programme in Performing Arts such as Hindustani Vocal Music, Tabla, Kathak Dance, Sanskrit and Yoga.

Cultural Activities

IGCIC organises regular cultural programmes and workshops and provide a platform for the local and Indian artistes to exhibit their talents in Indian music & dance. The students of the Centre under the guidance of the teachers also present cultural items under ‘Arangetram’ in their respective fields which grow their confidence & stage-free attitude.

Visiting Performing Groups from India

One of the main activities of IGCIC is presentation of cultural programmes by the eminent cultural troupes from India visiting Mauritius under the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) and outside CEP framework. ICCR sponsors the visit of leading cultural troupes from India on special occasions as well, such as Mahashivaratri, Milad-un-Nabi, Diwali, Tamil New Year, Maharana Pratap Diwas etc. IGCIC in collaboration with Ministry of Arts & Culture arranges for the performances of the visiting groups at IGCIC and other places of Mauritius for the benefit of the people living in remote areas.

Other Activities

The IGCIC associates itself with Mauritius-India Friendship Society, Socio-cultural Organisations, Hindi Speaking Union, Urdu Speaking Union and different Cultural Institutions of the country for programmes, conferences, lectures and literary forums held at its premises. The Centre acts as a venue for the activities of Indian Women's Association, Indo-Mauritian Cultural organizations, Indian Alumni Association and Sahitya SambadGoshthi for their monthly events. The IGCIC has been organising functions for launch of books in Hindi and other Indian languages by Mauritian authors. The Centre also organises Kavi-Sammelans where young Mauritian poets recite their poems in Hindi and other Indian languages. The IGCIC has been organizing special events on the occasion of Independence Day and Republic Day of India, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Day, Gandhi Jayanthi, Convocation Day of the Centre, Hindi Diwas, Foundation Day/Orientation Day etc.

Outreach Programmes

The IGCIC has planned for special 'Outreach Programme' for the benefit of the people living faraway from IGCIC and those who are not in a position to attend the normal teaching classes in a fixed time schedule at the Centre specially the school-children. For this purpose the teachers of IGCIC are deputed to visit schools and cultural organizations at various places in Mauritius.

Library

IGCIC has a very well-equipped Library with a wide range of books on Indian art, culture, literature and other topics with the following sections: -

Reading Room with several magazines in English, Hindi, Urdu and other Indian languages

Books in Indian languages viz Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and others

Books in English on Indian History, Culture, Music & Dance, Fiction, International Relations, Yoga etc

Reference section with a collection of dictionaries, encyclopedia and Year Books

CDs and DVDs on Indian Art Films, Documentaries and Classics.

Life-Membership to the Library is open to all on payment of a fee of Rs 500/- only. The library lends CDs and DVDs apart from books. All students of the Centre are encouraged to become members of the IGCIC Library and are entitled to use the Library Reading Room facilities without any charge.

Library is open from 0900hrs to 1700hrs from Monday to Friday.

Cine Club

Popular Indian Cinema is screened once every month which is free to viewers at IGCIC auditorium to give people an exposure to Indian Cinema.

Sahitya Sangoshthi

An eminent speaker is invited once every month to speak on any relevant subject on ‘sahitya’ (literature) in Hindi.

For more information, please contact:

Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture (IGCIC)

Swami Sivananda Avenue

Phoenix

Tel: 6973437/6987338

Fax: 6972925

Email: igcic.portlouis@mea.gov.in, dirigcic.portlouis@mea.gov.in