One Culture, Many Faiths: BRICS gala dinner celebrates India's diversity
A gala dinner held in the city on Saturday showcased a series of cultural performances drawn from different regions of India, as part of the BRICS Youth & Sports Ministers' Meeting 2026. The event, organised under the theme “One Culture, Many Faiths, One Humanity”, brought together delegates from member nations for an evening of music, dance, and heritage.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu attended the dinner, along with Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse. State Ministers Dola Sri Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, Vangalapudi Anitha, Kondapalli Srinivas, and Ramprasad Reddy were also present at the occasion.
The evening opened with a Kuchipudi performance titled “Tarangam”, which extended a formal welcome to the delegates. This was followed by “Kuchipudi Andhra Vaibhavam”, a presentation that highlighted the cultural traditions of Andhra Pradesh, the host state.
Performers then presented dance items reflecting the traditions of Gujarat and Kerala, offering the audience a glimpse of the country's western and southern cultural heritage. A performance titled “Manipur, Land of Culture, Courage and Colours” followed, celebrating the art and culture of the northeastern state. Another presentation, “Assam, Land of Heritage, Nature & Culture”, drew on the region's natural and cultural wealth. A performance representing the artistic traditions of West Bengal, incorporating elements associated with Durga Puja, was also part of the programme.
The event concluded with a group performance that brought together artistes from all the participating states, symbolising India's unity in diversity. The choice of performances was a deliberate effort to reflect the vast cultural landscape of the country, aligning with the meeting's broader theme of shared values and collective humanity.
The BRICS grouping, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has been focusing on youth and sports as avenues for strengthening cooperation among member nations. The Youth & Sports Ministers' Meeting serves as a platform for discussions on policy collaboration, exchange of best practices, and promotion of cultural ties. Saturday's dinner was a cultural extension of these diplomatic engagements, offering delegates an opportunity to experience the richness of Indian traditions in an informal setting.
The presence of senior political leaders, including the Chief Minister and Union ministers, underscored the significance attached to the event. The cultural evening was not merely a social occasion but a symbolic expression of the values that BRICS nations share: respect for diversity, commitment to mutual understanding, and the belief that culture can bridge differences.
As the meeting continues, participants are expected to deliberate on ways to enhance youth engagement and sports cooperation among BRICS countries. The gala dinner, with its vibrant display of dance and music, set a tone of goodwill and shared purpose.
