Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a warm and culturally rich welcome in Mauritius, where he was greeted with the melodious tunes of ‘Geet Gawai’, a traditional Bhojpuri musical ensemble. The vibrant ceremony, held at Port Louis, highlighted the enduring cultural and historical ties between India and Mauritius.
As Modi arrived, women dressed in traditional attire performed ‘Geet Gawai’, a folk musical tradition brought to Mauritius by Bhojpuri-speaking women from India’s Bihar and Uttar Pradesh regions. This age-old art form, deeply rooted in Indian heritage, remains a cherished cultural practice in Mauritius, symbolizing the strong connection between the two nations.
‘Geet Gawai’ is performed on festive and auspicious occasions, blending rhythmic songs, folk instruments, and celebratory dance. The performance served as a testament to the shared history of migration, culture, and tradition that continues to bind Mauritius and India together.