6 Bangladeshi artists perform at 10th International Dance and Music Festival in India

During the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Bangladesh participated in the 10th International Dance and Music Festival. Besides performing at the Gangamandap in the 1st sector of the Sangam Area, the dance troupe will also showcase their performances in Delhi, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Bihar, Assam, and Meghalaya.

The six-member team is being led by Rachel Priyanka Paris, Associate Professor at Dhaka University's Department of Dance. The other dancers in the group are Mousumi, Laboni, Rini, Raisha, and Pinky.

The event is a collaborative effort between the Uttar Pradesh government and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) under the Ministry of External Affairs.

At the festival’s opening session on Saturday (February 22) and Sunday (February 23), the Bangladeshi team captivated the audience at the 13,000-seat Gangamandap with performances featuring religious stories, poetry, and the music-based Gaudiya dance. Following their successful showcase, the group is now preparing to perform in other Indian states later this month.

The festival has also drawn participation from several other countries, including Russia, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Fiji, Malaysia, Maldives, Vietnam, South Africa, and Rwanda.

ICCR Director-General K. Nandini Singla highlighted the enduring nature of cultural ties, stating, "Cultural connections never stop. Governments will come and go, politics will change, leaders will change, but the connection between hearts will never fade. This is an emotion that no political leader can change. The countries that send teams cover their own airfare, and once they arrive, we take care of all their expenses and needs."

Priyanka Paris, leader of the Bangladeshi team, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying, "We are fortunate to be here and participate in the Maha Kumbh. We are grateful to the Indian High Commission for the invitation." She also confirmed that there were no issues in obtaining their visas.

Despite occasional tensions between Bangladesh and India, sources suggest that this cultural exchange has reinforced the power of the arts in fostering people-to-people connections. Artists from both nations remain optimistic about strengthening these bonds through shared heritage and artistic expression.