On the evening of May 28, at the City Theater Square, the Department of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Embassy of India in Vietnam and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, organized a captivating Indian folk dance performance by the Maharashtra Art Troupe (India).
The event was attended by Ms. Deepa Ganiger Shiva Rudrappa, First Secretary of the Embassy of India in Vietnam; Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Dung, Director of the Haiphong Department of Foreign Affairs; representatives from various departments, organizations, and a large audience of art enthusiasts in Haiphong.
The audience was treated to vibrant and culturally rich Indian folk dances. The program opened with Lavani, a famous dance once performed in royal courts before becoming popular among the masses. The Lavani performance captivated the audience with its powerful rhythms, graceful movements, and expressive storytelling, depicting themes of love, struggle, humor, and celebrating the beauty of women.
Next was the Koli dance, a lively traditional festival dance of the fishing community, portraying their colorful working life, unity, resilience, and love for life. A highlight was Yakshagana – Mahishasura Vadh, a mesmerizing blend of dance, music, and drama that brought to life the legendary tale of Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura—a powerful message of good triumphing over evil, justice, and righteousness.
With masterful performances, dazzling costumes, fluid movements, and the artists' expressive artistry, the program offered the audience a truly unforgettable cultural experience, conveying messages of love for life, prayers for peace, happiness, and prosperity.
This event was one of the highlight activities of Haiphong International Week, organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs to celebrate the city’s major events in May. It helped strengthen the friendly cooperation between Haiphong and the Embassy of India in Vietnam, while bringing Indian culture and arts closer to the people of Haiphong, promoting people-to-people exchanges and cultural values between the two countries.