Six renowned musicians from Northeast India recently concluded a successful cultural exchange tour in Southwest China's Yunnan Province, from October 13 to the 20th.
According to an update, the delegation was invited by the Consulate General of China in Kolkata, underscoring the ongoing cultural collaborations between India and China.
The delegation, featuring a stellar lineup of musicians, was headed by James Shikiye Swu, composer, conductor, and music teacher and included Nise Meruno, Yamaha brand ambassador and concert pianist; Alobo Naga, multi award-winning singer and composer; Guru Rewben Mashangva, Padma Shri awardee and folk singer; Nungshitula Pongener, singer, songwriter and composer, and Merenyala Pongener, musician, lecturer and registrar, ETI Nepal.
The group commenced their tour in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, where they performed and participated in cultural exchanges. During their two-day stay, they met with teachers and students from Yunnan Minzu University and attended enriching cultural discussions with scholars at the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences.
One of the key highlights of their visit was attending the widely celebrated dance musical Dynamic Yunnan, which showcases the rich ethnic diversity of Southwest China.
The musicians then travelled to Mangshi City, Longchuan County, and Ruili city, where they further engaged in cross-cultural performances and activities.
Upon returning to Kunming, the group performed in a special cultural exchange event with musicians from the Yunnan Musicians Association, creating a meaningful dialogue through music.
Zhang Zhizhong, Director of the Bilateral Section at the Consulate General of China in Kolkata, highlighted that this was the third delegation organised by the consulate to visit Yunnan in 2024, following visits by Indian Buddhist monks in April and a group of artists and scholars in July for the China-South Asia Cooperation Forum.
“This cultural exchange marks yet another significant step in fostering deeper ties between Northeast India and Yunnan Province, promoting a shared love for music and arts across borders,” it stated.