The Indian diaspora gave a warm and encouraging welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he arrived in Johannesburg on 21st November. The folk dances performed by the members of the community were a representation of 11 Indian states, and the cultural diversity of India was demonstrated on a world platform.

The short cultural programme was titled Rhythms of a United India and included Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan.

Prime Minister Modi hailed the move, stating that it was a good sign of India in expressing unity in diversity and that the diaspora was still in touch with their homeland.

The cultural diversity of India is on show in South Africa! The Indian community led the pack and displayed folk dances of 11 states in India in a mini-culture event dubbed aptly as ‘Rhythms of a United India.’ Since the Indian community has been attached to its roots, it is praiseworthy that PM Modi posted on ‘X’.

The Prime Minister, later on, when he arrived at a hotel in Johannesburg, was presented with a special performance of music by the holy river Ganga.

Tamil folk singer Kumari Ambigay even rendered a version of the Girmitiya song Ganga Maiya, which is a Bhojpuri song, into Tamil on the occasion.

“It was a Bhojpuri song that I translated into the Tamil language…I am extremely happy because I saw PM Modi for the first time,” Ambigay told ANI.

The Prime Minister described the song performance as a happy and emotional moment as he watched it. PM Modi emphasised that the song is an expression of the hope and undying courage of the people who arrived in South Africa decades ago.

“We had a joyous and emotional experience when we watched the action of the South African Girmitiya song, Ganga Maiya, performed in Johannesburg. One more peculiarity of this performance was that this song was also performed in Tamil! This song represents the hope and undying bravery of these people who arrived here many years ago. They never forgot India through these songs and bhajans. Thus, it is remarkable to have seen such a cultural relationship that is still alive today,” PM Modi wrote on ‘X’.

An Indian diaspora member who acted as the welcomer of PM Modi was very happy about the event and regarded it as a lifetime experience.

It was the moment of a lifetime…PM Modi watched the performance very patiently, she told ANI.

The Prime Minister also visited the winners of the Bharat Ko Janiye (Know India) Quiz during his visit. He emphasized how the initiative would enhance the diaspora’s involvement with the history and culture of India.

“Met the winners of Bharat Ko Janiye (Know India) Quiz in South Africa. It is a Quiz that prompts our diaspora members to become better acquainted with Indian history, culture, and so forth. It reinforces our diaspora with India, indeed,” PM Modi wrote on ‘X’.

On behalf of South Africa, Prime Minister Modi is attending the G20 Summit 2025 from November 21-23.