Mashaei's call for "new peace initiatives" were ably reciprocated by Karan Singh, who stressed India's cultural, social and cultural affinity with Iran. "We have strong political links, but it's culture that holds the two nations together."

Speeches over, the performers took over the stage. A santoor recital in the Iranian Sufi tradition was followed by a small mime-play about the country's struggle from "fetters to freedom".

The cast, all male as the clergy prohibits women from performing in public and in the company of men, used strong body language, traditional marital dance forms and a strange mix of background chants and folk music to narrate the Iran story. The play received a standing ovation from the packed house.

Altogether 60 artistes, mostly musicians and dancers, performed an array of folk dances representing the culture and the music of the different provinces in a small courtyard inside the museum as a band of tea-makers poured the traditional Iranian boiled fava tea from ornate brass pots into delicate porcelain and glass tumblers.

An exhibition of Iranian art and craft is the highlight of the culture week, along with a tourism counter hard selling Iran. The culture showcase ends May 3.