New Delhi, Sep 4 (IANS) While debates rage in India over singing of "Vande Mataram", children from 17 countries joined their Indian friends here in celebrating the spirit of patriotism by singing the national song to pay tribute to their motherlands.

The performance was part of the closing ceremony of the seventh International Children's Festival of Performing Arts Sunday night. Around 5,000 children from 18 countries participated in the four-day event to stage 250 productions.

"We presented a dance performance on 'Vande Mataram' with our friends from India and other places. It was a nice way of paying respect to our respective motherlands," said Kwenzakufan, from Kantharuby Dance Academy in South Africa.

Young and promising children from Poland, Pakistan, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Slovenia and others countries showcased their country's cultures through different performing arts in the festival.

Another attraction of the valedictory function at the Kamani auditorium was a musical performance titled "Sa Re Ga Ma Tak Dhina Dhin", directed by octogenarian children's theatre expert Rekha Jain. It showed the origin of music and its relation to nature and everyday life.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Murli Manohar Joshi, who attended the function as special guest, praised the enthusiasm of the children.

"I dedicate the evening to the children who have put up such a spectacular show of talent and culture," Joshi said.

Rajya Sabha MP and former governor of Maharashtra P.C. Alexander, who was chief guest, thanked the visiting children and spoke about the richness of the Indian civilization.

"Ours is a 5,000-year-old unbroken civilization which has not died out in the process of living," said Alexander.

The festival was jointly organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Ryan Foundation in association with Sangeet Natak Akademi and University of Cambridge International Examinations.

Tom Austin, director, University of Cambridge International Examinations called the function full of "colours, vibrancy and fantastic".

"Working beyond national and international borders is really great and I am delighted to be a part of the programme," said Austin.