With clinking glasses, peals of laughter and grooving to folk beats, the Italian Embassy celebrated the Italian National Day in the capital.
A musical affair: Starting off with rustic notes, accompanied by flute,
sarangi and
khadtaal, Yar Mohammad and his band treated the gathering to Rajasthani folk music. Next, Italian musician Eugenio Bennato and his band made guests sway to their Italian folk tunes.
This was followed by a jugalbandi between the two groups. Talking about his experience of performing before the gathering, Eugenio said, “I learnt that popular music around the world have many things in common. This performance was a celebration of that.”
![Italian artistes Eugenio Bennato and Sonia Totaro Italian artistes Eugenio Bennato and Sonia Totaro](https://static.toiimg.com/photo/83033472.cms)
Italian artistes Eugenio Bennato and Sonia Totaro
![Meet the host Ambassador Vincenzo De Luca Meet the host Ambassador Vincenzo De Luca](https://static.toiimg.com/photo/83033472.cms)
Meet the host Ambassador Vincenzo De Luca
Celebrating our National Day in India holds a special meaning, since the Italian and Indian republics came into existence around the same time (Italy became a republic in 1946).
Jai Italy,
jai Bharat,
jai dono deshon ka atoot rishta," saidAmbassador of Italy Vincenzo De Luca, the host.
Meenakshi Lekhi, MoS for Culture and External Affairs, said, "Nothing can be more pleasant than to wish our centuries-old friend Italy on their National Day."
The artistes were brought together by Seher, an NGO.![Meenakshi Lekhi Meenakshi Lekhi](https://static.toiimg.com/photo/83033472.cms)
Meenakshi Lekhi
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UN Resident Coordinator in India Shombi Sharp with German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann
![French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain and Chetan Seth French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain and Chetan Seth](https://static.toiimg.com/photo/83033472.cms)
French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain and Chetan Seth
![Ambassador of Lithuania Diana Mickeviciene and Chilean Ambassador Juan Angulo Ambassador of Lithuania Diana Mickeviciene and Chilean Ambassador Juan Angulo](https://static.toiimg.com/photo/83033472.cms)
Ambassador of Lithuania Diana Mickeviciene and Chilean Ambassador Juan Angulo
![VN Dalmia with Ambassador of Denmark Freddy Svane VN Dalmia with Ambassador of Denmark Freddy Svane](https://static.toiimg.com/photo/83033472.cms)
VN Dalmia with Ambassador of Denmark Freddy Svane
![Italian Embassy official Maria Teresa Del Re wore a sari with the colours of the Italian flag Italian Embassy official Maria Teresa Del Re wore a sari with the colours of the Italian flag](https://static.toiimg.com/photo/83033472.cms)
Italian Embassy official Maria Teresa Del Re wore a sari with the colours of the Italian flag