By Mewati Sitaram
The Indian High Commission in Colombo, along with Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), hosted a live music concert, Papon Live, on January 22, 2025, to celebrate India’s 76th Republic Day. The event at Nelum Pokuna Theatre was attended by distinguished guests, including Acting High Commissioner Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, Sri Lankan ministers, MPs, and other dignitaries.
The concert, celebrating India’s Republic Day and strengthening bilateral ties, featured a captivating performance by renowned Indian artist Papon. Known for his versatility, Papon’s blend of folk, classical, and contemporary music left the audience enthralled, creating a memorable evening of cultural exchange.
The evening’s highlight was a captivating performance by Papon (Angaraag Mahanta), the ICCR-nominated Indian artist known for his versatility in folk, classical, and contemporary music. The award-winning Bollywood playback singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer enthralled the audience with his unique musical blend.
The event began with an energetic opening act, ‘Swasthi’, featuring renowned Sri Lankan percussionist Mr. Ravibandhu Vidyapathi and his team, who performed Indian melodies like the National Song, Vande Mataram, alongside traditional Sri Lankan rhythms.
The event was attended by over a thousand guests, including members of Sri Lanka’s defense and civil services, diplomatic corps, academia, business and media communities, as well as the Indian diaspora and friends of India. The enthusiastic response from the audience showcased the deep cultural connection between the people of India and Sri Lanka.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
