Delhi, India — Activities
Delhi Culture
Delhi offers a rich blend of music, dance, theater, shows. Local newspapers including the Hindustan Times and The Times of India carry daily and weekly listings of events. Time Out Delhi offers comprehensive listings and reviews. First City, Delhi City Guide and Delhi Diary are also useful.
Music
India International Center
Among the ranks of Delhi's ‘chatterati', the India International Center is a political icon and post-independence institution. It is the capital's premier cultural center and organizes music and dance recitals as well as seminars, lectures and film screenings.
40 Max Mueller Marg
Tel: (011) 2461 9431.
Website: www.iicdelhi.nic.in
Habitat World
The center hosts excellent music, singing and dance recitals plus temporary art exhibitions in the Visual Arts Gallery.
India Habitat Center, Lodhi Road
Tel: (011) 4366 3333.
Website: www.habitatworld.com
Kamani Auditorium
Delhi's concert halls tend to be busy more or less year round, with the Delhi Symphony Orchestra often performing here. Hindustani music is by far the most popular, but Delhiites also have a keen interest in international music.
1, Copernicus Marg
Tel: (011) 4350 3351.
Website: www.kamaniauditorium.org
Theater
Abhimanch Auditorium
Delhi has a number of innovative theaters, many located just to the north of India Gate. These include Abhimanch Auditorium, which stages experimental theater.
Bahawalpur House, Bhagwan Das Road
Tel: (011) 2338 2821.
Triveni Kala Sangam
This venue has two galleries devoted to an indoor theater, plus fine art aand a sculpture park.
Tansen Marg
Tel: (011) 2371 8833.
Website: www.trivenikalasangam.com
Dance
Sangeet Natak Akademi
This premier performing arts institute is India's national academy for dance, music and drama. Dance aficionados are well catered for in Delhi and a rich mix of classical (including Kathak, Bharatnatyam and Kathakali), folk and tribal dance, as well as ballet, are performed throughout the city, including The India International Center and Triveni Theater.
Rabindra Bhavan
Tel: (011) 2338 7246.
Website: www.sangeetnatak.com
Delhi Tours
Walking Tours
The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) offers heritage walks of Old Delhi and Mehrauli Archaeological Park at weekends. You can also arrange private guides. Alternatively pick up a copy of Old Delhi: 10 Easy Walks for inspiration. Join the charitable organization Salaam Baalak Trust for a city walk with a difference. These two hour walks (Monday-Saturday) are led by a former street child who show you what life is like for kids living on the streets.
INTACH
Tel: (011) 2464 1304.
Website: www.intach.org
Salaam Baalak Trust
Tel: (011) 2358 4164.
Website: www.salaambaalaktrust.com
Bus Tours
Delhi Tourism & Transport Development Corporation operates sightseeing tours in air-conditioned coaches covering New and Old Delhi. The New Delhi tour takes in Jantar Mantar, Birla Mandir, Qutb Minar, the Lotus Temple and Safdarjung's Tomb. The Old Delhi tour stops at Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Rajghat and Humayun's Tomb. They also offer Delhi by Evening tours. All tickets must be purchased in advance at the booking office at N-36, Connaught Place.
Delhi Tourism & Transport Development Corporation
Tel: (011) 2336 5358.
Website: http://delhitourism.nic.in
Charitable Tours
The Hope Project is a charitable organization that was set up in 1980 to help the poor with education, health and livelihood projects in the Nizamuddin community. The center also runs tours around the Nizamuddin basti offering visitors the chance to visit the mosques, daraghs and culinary delights of this predominantly Muslim neighborhood.
Tel: (011) 2435 6576
Website: www.hopeprojectindia.org
