By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

The Embassy of India, Seoul organized a Press Conference at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), Embassy of India on the upcoming 11th edition of Sarang: The Festival of India in the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Sarang is an annual flagship cultural event celebrated by the Embassy of India in ROK, organized in collaboration with various local partners. Sarang intends to introduce India's vibrant and diverse culture to the friends in ROK, through a landscape of varied art forms. Since its inception in 2015, the festival has grown immensely in its size and popularity, strengthening further the bonds between the two countries.

In his remarks, Chargé d’Affaires Mr. Nishi Kant Singh emphasized the cultural significance of the term “SARANG” for both Koreans and Indians, underscoring the deep-rooted cultural ties and shared heritage between the two nations. He noted that in Korean, “SARANG” means “love,” while for Indians, it symbolizes “diversity, reflecting the many colours of India.” He further underscored that the Sarang festival began in 2015 with the objective to cement the millennia-old civilizational links and deepen people-to-people exchanges between India and the ROK through art, dance, music, cinema, and cuisine.

Expressing gratitude to local partners and sponsors for their steadfast support in co-organizing Sarang, Cd’A gave a brief about the upcoming events this year. He announced that a distinguished Kathakali troupe, led by the renowned artist Mr. Sreenathan Sreenatha Mandiram, will visit ROK to present performances and conduct workshops for Korean dance enthusiasts. The inaugural performance is scheduled for October 14 at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. Thereafter, the troupe will perform across multiple cities, including Seoul (October 14, 15, and 23), Kunsan (October 16), Nami Island (October 18 and 19), Busan (October 20 and 21), and Miryang (October 22).

Cd’A also highlighted the 13th Edition of the Indian Film Festival, wherein the Embassy will bring award-winning and critically acclaimed Indian films in various languages with Korean subtitles, to cinema lovers across ROK. In collaboration with its local partners, including the Korean Film Archives, Busan Cinema Centre, India Centre, Busan University of Foreign Studies, Mirim Theatre and Asian Culture Centre, the Embassy will screen seven blockbusters such as “12th Fail”, “Manjummel Boys”, “English Vinglish,” “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara”, “Hellaro” and “Anur (Eyes on the Sunshine)” across several cities including in Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Yangsan, Miryang, Suncheon and Gwangju.

Further, Cd’A added that the Embassy, in collaboration with Korea – India Contemporary Artists Association (KICAA), organized the “Korea - India Contemporary Art Exchange Exhibition 2025” at SVCC from August 1 – 10, 2025 under the theme “A Confluence of India and Korea: Resonance of Two Lights Shared.” The exhibition featured 25 works by 5 Indian and 20 Korean artists.