Two nights dedicated to traditional Indian dance last week concluded Indian Culture Week, which was held for the first time in Ho Chi Minh City this year. 

The performances, entitled Nrityarupa, were organized on Friday and Saturday at the municipal Opera House and HCMC Youth Cultural House, both located in District 1, by the Indian Ministry of Culture, the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Embassy of India in Vietnam, and the HCMC People’s Committee.

The shows were intended to close Indian Culture Week, an event promoting Indian culture that lasted from March 6 to 15 in the southern city.

The performance at the Opera House was attended by Dr. Deepak Mittal, the Indian Consul General of Ho Chi Minh City, Le Hoang Quan, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Vietnamese and Indian state officials in Vietnam, and over 500 foreign and local guests.

At the show, 16 leading Indian dancers performed six regional classical dances before the audience, representing the diverse cultures within India, including the Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Odissi, Manipuri and Chhau.

India and Vietnam have a strategic partnership pact and culture is a very important element of the pact, said Dr. Deepak Mittal. The event also introduced Indian diversity and cultural heritage to the Vietnamese audience, he said, adding that he hoped this would help create better understanding and promote friendship as well as tourism between the two countries. After the show, Nguyen Thi Van, a retired state worker, said: “I was really happy and excited while watching the show. I enjoy all of the repertoires within traditional Indian dance.”

Nguyen Hong Quyen, a student at HCMC International University, said, “After watching this show, I have a better understanding of Indian culture as well as India’s traditional dances, especially the origin of each dance. It is wonderful and tells many interesting stories.”