The Embassy of India and the Korea India Association jointly celebrated the independence days of India and South Korea, which fall on the same day, at the Indian Cultural Center in Seoul on Friday.

Over 500 guests took part, including Indian expatriates and friends of India.

Two large delegations from India were there for the event, a 40-member group of the Indian Revenue Service and a 20-member Indian Youth Delegation sponsored by India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The youths are here on a study tour.

After students sang the national anthems of India and Korea, the ambassador greeted all participants and read out excerpts from the Indian president’s message to the nation. KOINA president Song Jai Seong lauded the South Korean-India friendship in his congratulatory remarks.

A colorful cultural program included Indian folk dances, Indian-style yoga, a Kathak-Korean fusion dance number and a special Indian-Korean performance by Indian and Korean artists. Members of the visiting youth delegation also presented snippets of Bharatnatyam and a rendition of classical music on a sarod and a tabla.

The cultural side of the celebration included an art exhibition and festival of Indian cuisine. An exhibition of ink drawings titled “Lakireen,” which means lines in Hindi, by artist Anjali Bansal opened at the Indian Cultural Center.

An Indian Bazaar displaying Indian handicrafts, decorative henna and a variety of traditional Indian clothing was organized for all-day Independence Day celebration. The food stalls offered a selection of Indian food.

(ephilip2014@heraldcorp.com)