I'm on my final stages of my trip to India next February. Wouldn't like to leave the country without a good dance and folklore show. Will love to hear your recommendations.

Gilberto

Hi Gilberto - I remember 2 years ago when you had Dara and we had Ponheary in Cambodia then we ran into each other again on the skytrain in Bangkok - small world. Glad you are finally getting to India. From your other thread, Anokhi is a (mostly) women's clothing store - nice stuff - Jeane bought several outfits.

As for dance/folklore, there was a troupe of dancers amongst the vendors behind the Crafts Museum in Delhi - I don't know if they are always there or not but they were very colorful and we had them to ourselves.

Some of the hotels - Amarvilas in Agra for instance have entertainment in the evenings - we saw dancers from the deck outside our room at sunset one night. You could probably see them even if you don't stay there. I am sure Cicerone and others will also chime in on other possibilities.

Have a great trip!

Hi Craig!

Glad to 'hear'from you again. I remember you and your wife very well. One of the reasons of going to India was a brief conversation we had when in Thailand and your very interesting trip report in this forum. I can tell that you are still very active giving recommendations in the Asia forums. You have a great memory for names of places or is it maybe a good secretary? Thank you very much as always.

As mentioned above, many of the major hotels have dance performances each night. In Agra, the Amarvilas has a nice one outdoors by their pool in the winter months, usually at 8 pm I think, but check with the hotel for the exact time. I don't think you have to be a guest to attend, and in any event can have dinner or a drink at their bar to attend the show. I believe the Taj Mahal hotel in Delhi offers some dance as part of the musical performances in their Indian restaurant, and the Top of the Village restaurant in Haus Khaz Village may as well (I know they have music). The Rambagh Palace in Jaipur used to have a very good cultural show in the evening, but the last time I stayed there they did not offer this, so I am not sure that they still have it. The Jaivilas hotel in Jaipur has some dancing as part of the entrainment at their Indian restaurant.

In Delhi, you might try the following organizations/venues which sometimes offer performances by professional classical dance troupes or other cultural events: the India Habitat Centre at www.indiahabitat.org, the Indian International Centre (http://www.iicdelhi.nic.in), and the Triveni Kala Sangam, which is a training centre for the arts and offers classes and sometimes offers dance programs. Their website does not offer any information on current programs (http://education.vsnl.com), but your hotel may be able to call and get info on any performances that may be on offer while you are there. You can also try the cultural events page for the British Council at http://www.britishcouncil.org/india-...e-mainpage.htm. Finally, you can pick up a copy of the Delhi Diary, available at newsstands, which offers a complete listing of events for Delhi.

Also in Delhi, there is a evening cultural show called ''Dances of India'' at Parsi Anjuman Hall, near Delhi Gate. I have not been, but I believe most hotels will sell you a ticket and probably can arrange transport as well.

For Jaipur, you can usually find dance performances hotels, and there is a cattle fair in the Jaipur environs usually held in Jan or Feb where you may also be able to see dance and other events. I believe that there is some kind of culture theme park outside of Jaipur that offers dance and other evetns, I have not been and don't know how authentic verus touristy it may be (also can't recall the name).

There is a major dance festival held each year in February in Khajuraho, I don't know if that is on your itinerary, it's generally held at the end of Feb or in early March. I generally don't think Khajuraho is all that exciting, but the dance festival would be an exception as it is professionals, and has a world-wide following. Outside Bangalore is the Nrityagram village, housing a classical dance academy. For info on tours, look at http://www.nrityagram.org/wisdom/prog/prog.htm. If you go to Chennai, there is also a classical dance academy in Bharatanatyam, about 10 miles south of Chennai. Go to http://www.kalakshetra.net/. I don't know if either of these are on your itinerary.

I stayed at three of the Oberoi hotels and saw wonderful dancing at each. However, the most fun we had with watching dancing was in a courtyard at a restaurant called "Indiana" in Jaipur. It is inexpensive, but the food is wonderful and the dancing is terrific and authentic. You're in the middle of Jaipur with fires burning by your courtyard table (in the winter) with lots of people, music and dancing. It was perfect. I think they have dancing every night, at least in the winter.

Thanks for the info. Will check the options.