The Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture (IGCIC) functions under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), an autonomous body under the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture is also the Cultural Wing of the High Commission of India in Mauritius. The Centre was established in 1987 and had been functioning from the rented premises in Quatre Bornes before moving into its own building in 2002. The new premises of IGCIC at Phoenix was inaugurated on March 11, 2000 by Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India and Dr Navin Chandra Ramgoolam, the Prime Minister of Mauritius. The entire area of the IGCIC is 20000 sq.m with a unique structure reflecting the beauty of the Indian architecture in a lush green layout.

The IGCIC consists of the following:

1. An air-conditioned and fully equipped auditorium of a capacity of 669 seats and a large stage
2. A large Foyer in the Centre used for gatherings
3. A multipurpose hall with approx. 250 seating space
4. A Seminar & an Exhibition Room with seating capacity of 100
5. Four airy and spacious classrooms
6. An Office space, canteen and a well-equipped kitchen
7. A well stocked Library with around ten thousand books and reading & lending facilities
8. The Complex providing One Residence Quarter for the Director and Eight Quarters for the Teachers apart from garage facilities & Servants' Quarters.

Aims and Objectives

The main objectives of the IGCIC are as follows :

1. to promote bilateral relations through cultural activities
2. to strengthen the cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and Mauritius
3. to create awareness of India's cultural heritage among the people of Mauritius
4. to foster closer links between India and Mauritius through cultural exchanges.

Teaching Programme

The Centre has an active teaching programme in Performing Arts such as Carnatic Vocal Music, Tabla and Kathak Dance and Yoga.

Cultural Activities

IGCIC organises monthly cultural programme called 'Priyadarshini' (as Smt. Indira Gandhi was popularly known) and provide a platform for the local artistes to exhibit their talents in Indian music & dance. The students of the Centre under the guidance of the teachers also present cultural items in their respective fields which grow their confidence & stage-free attitude. This programme also enables the local artistes and the teachers of our Centre to work together and interact sharing their knowledge mutually.

Visiting Performing Groups from India

One of the main activities of IGCIC is presentation of cultural programmes by the eminent cultural troupes from India visiting Mauritius under the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) and outside CEP framework. ICCR sponsors the visit of leading cultural troupes from India on special occasions as well, such as Mahashivaratri, Milad-un-Nabi, Diwali etc. IGCIC in collaboration with Ministry of Arts & Culture arranges for the performances of the visiting groups at IGCIC and other places of Mauritius for the benefit of the people living in remote areas.

Other Activities

The IGCIC associates itself with Mauritius-India Friendship Society, Socio-cultural Organisations, Hindi Speaking Union, Urdu Speaking Union and different Cultural Institutions of the country for programmes, conferences, lectures and literary forums held at its premises. The Centre acts as a venue for the activities of Indian Women's Association, Indo-Mauritian Cultural organizations, Indian Alumni Association and Sahitya Sambad Goshthi for their monthly events.
The IGCIC has been organising functions for launch of books in Hindi and other Indian languages by Mauritian authors. The Centre also organises Kavi-Sammelans where young Mauritian poets recite their poems in Hindi and other Indian languages. The IGCIC has been organising special events on the occasion of Independence Day and Republic Day of India, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Day, Gandhi Jayanthi, Birth Anniversary of Smt Indira Gandhi as Convocation Day of the Centre, Hindi Diwas, Foundation Day/Orientation Day etc. In collaboration with the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, the IGCIC organise every year special programmes such as Saint Thyagaraja Jayanti and other annual classical programmes.

Outreach Programmes

The IGCIC has planned for special 'Outreach Programme' for the benefit of the people living faraway from IGCIC and those who are not in a position to attend the normal teaching classes in a fixed time schedule at the Centre specially the school-children. For this purpose the teachers of IGCIC are deputed to visit schools and cultural organizations at various places in Mauritius.

Library

IGCIC has a very well-equipped Library with a wide range of books on Indian art, culture, literature and other topics with the following sections :-

1. Reading Room with several newspapers and magazines in English, Hindi, Urdu and other Indian languages
2. Books in Indian languages viz Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and others
3. Books in English on Indian History, Culture, Music & Dance & Yoga
4. Reference section with a collection of dictionaries, encyclopaedia and Year Books
5. Video cassettes, VCDs and DVDs on Indian Art Films, Documentaries and Classics.

Life-Membership to the Library is open to all on payment of a fee of Rs 500/- only. The library lends Video cassettes, VCDs and DVDs apart from books. All students of the Centre are encouraged to become members of the IGCIC Library and are entitled to use the Library Reading Room facilities without any charge. Library is open from 9.30 AM to 5.30 PM from Monday to Thursday
and from 1.30 PM to 5.30 PM on Friday and from 9.30 AM to 1.30 PM on Saturday.

For more information, please contact:

Director
Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture
Swami Sivananda Avenue
Phoenix

Tel : 6973437/6987338
Fax : 6972925
Email : igcic@intnet.mu