ABU DHABI // About 1,000 Indians from across the capital came together to watch a historical play on Friday to mark Indian Independence Day.

They celebrated the day with a cultural programme organised by the Indian Social and Cultural Centre (ISC), the umbrella body for different groups, at its base at Mina Zayed.

Namrata Kumar, deputy chief of mission at the Indian embassy, was the main guest at the function.

For the first time, Abu Dhabi Malayalee Samajam, Indian Ladies Association, Indian Islamic Centre and Kerala Social Centre collaborated on a play, instead of presenting individual performances.

“Through this event, expatriates feel they are part of a community and the experience is a nostalgic one for many who reminisce about their days in India, where they attended flag hoistings in school and looked forward to eating sweets,” said Vinod Rajagopal, general secretary of the ISC.

The play, Jai Hai, was written and directed by ISC member Rajan Pallai.

With a theme of India’s golden past, it combined theatre with videos and delved into the country’s struggle for freedom from the British, revisiting incidents such as the wagon tragedy and the sepoy mutiny.

“More than 60 people between the ages of 6 and 60 performed in the play,” said Mr Pallai.

“Every year, the different organisations would put up separate performances, but this year was different as there was a team spirit.”

A patriotic song, Jahan dal dal par sone ki chidiya, was also performed by members of ISC.

Earlier in the day, the Indian tricolour was unfurled at the embassy and the Indian ambassador, T P Seetharam, sent a message of ideals shared by the UAE and India.

“India and the UAE share ideals and aspirations of global peace, security, stability and prosperity,” Mr Seetharam said.

Many children enjoyed the celebrations, dressed in the national colours and some in white, as customary.

Hilda Dsouza, an Abu Dhabi resident for 22 years, said: “It is fantastic to come here on independence day as we feel that we are back in India.

“We also get to meet new members and make friends. I always love to attend this function.”

The honorary president of the ISC, D Natarajan, spoke to the young people and children to explain the significance of the national song and the meaning of the three colours on the flag.

Mr Natarajan also stressed to them the importance of non-violence.

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