BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival Held at Bharat Mandapam
Why in the news
New Delhi hosted the first-ever BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival at Bharat Mandapam. It put the musical heritage of the grouping’s seven members on one stage as a cultural diplomacy effort.
Key facts
- Inaugurated by: External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar.
- Organiser: Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
- Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- Theme: SaptaSur – Seven Nations, One Melody.
- Origin: Prime Minister Narendra Modi first announced the festival at the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand in April 2025.
- Entry was free for the public, with seating on a first-come basis.
| Participating country |
|---|
| India |
| Bangladesh |
| Bhutan |
| Myanmar |
| Nepal |
| Sri Lanka |
| Thailand |
About BIMSTEC
BIMSTEC is a regional grouping of seven countries around the Bay of Bengal, and every member sent artists to this festival. The event was meant to deepen cultural ties and mutual understanding among them.
Exam angle
- Note that the festival’s name SaptaSur reflects the seven member nations.
- ICCR is the organiser, an often-asked cultural diplomacy body.
- The idea was announced at the April 2025 summit in Thailand.