Indian And Sri Lankan Groups to Stage Qatar National Day Gala

Doha, December 10 (QNA) - Cultural groups and schools students from Indian and Sri Lankan communities here will stage various events on December 18 to celebrate Qatar National Day at the West End Park open theatre in Industrial Area. A work group comprising members from both communities has assessed and finalised the cultural programme, the Ministry of Interior's Public Relations Department said. School students will sing the national anthem to open the cultural gala at 8 am. A parade featuring children from all participating schools will follow. The schools will showcase Qatari traditions during the thematic parade competition. Qatari songs and general songs competition for schools will be held in the morning session ahead of the community teams' cultural and entertainment shows. The day's programme will feature songs by Indian community teams in different languages and other events such as classical dances, a drama on Qatar's traditions by Sanskriti, Kolkali by Social Forum, Arabic Dabke dance by Karnataka Sanga, folk dance by Telugu Kala Samithi, songs by Riyaz and orchestra. Indian cultural group Maharashtra Mandal will perform a song in Arabic language featuring Qatari tradition. Bangiya Parishad, representing eastern Indian state of West Bengal will perform a folk dance and an Arabian dance by Sargavedi. Sri Lankan groups will perform songs in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages, classical dances, dramas in English and Sinhala on Qatar's hospitality and its contribution to the world, Kaparinya dance, meeduma uthurana sanda pane song with dance. Individual artistes will also present musical as well as folkloric performances. Schools winning first, second, third and fourth will be awarded QR 7,000, QR 5,000 and QR 3,000, QR 2,000 respectively. Winner of the tug of war competition will receive QR 2,500 and the runnerup QR 1,500. The prize money for running race is QR 1,500, QR 1,000, QR 500 each for participating companies, schools and communities. Organisers have set up praying and resting areas for families, emergency medical services and facilities for the public. Volunteers will guide public to ensure smooth running of the event from 6 am to 10 pm. (QNA)