An Evening of Indian Classical Dance and Hungarian Art Honouring Cultural Harmony
Edited by Anna Popper
On 29 April, the Embassy of India in Budapest and the Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre marked International Dance Day 2025 with a vibrant event featuring classical Indian dance and the inauguration of a visual art exhibition by Hungarian artist Ms. Mariann W. Wieger. The evening brought together diplomats, artists, academics, and art lovers in a spirited tribute to the universal language of dance and the power of cultural dialogue.
A Global Celebration of Dance
International Dance Day was initiated in 1982 by the International Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), a partner of UNESCO. The date, 29 April, commemorates the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727–1810), a pioneer of modern ballet. The occasion celebrates dance not only as an art form, but also as a profound medium of human expression, education, and intercultural connection.
Opening Speech by Dr. Mukesh Kumar Srivastava, Director, Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre (ASCC)
“Respected Chargé d’Affaires Mr. Praveen Kumar, Chief Guest Dr. Eszter Lukács, Ms. Mariann W. Wieger, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure to welcome you this evening to our celebration of International Dance Day here at the Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre. Today we honour an art form that communicates across cultures, speaks to the soul, and brings people together through rhythm and movement.
In Indian culture, dance is both sacred and expressive. It is a spiritual journey, a discipline, and a celebration of life. Nowhere is this more powerfully symbolized than in the figure of Lord Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, whose dance represents the eternal cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution.
Allow me to share a Sanskrit verse about this divine form: Whose body is the universe, Whose speech is the Vedas, Whose adornments are the stars and the moon, And whose essence is truth – To that auspicious Lord Shiva, we bow in reverence.
We are especially proud to inaugurate this evening the exhibition ‘Secrets of Movement’ by Ms. Mariann W. Wieger, a Hungarian artist whose deep respect for Indian classical dance – particularly Bharatanatyam – shines through her work. Her paintings capture not just posture and movement, but also emotion and spiritual depth. With this exhibition and the performances you will witness tonight, we reaffirm the mission of this Centre – to build lasting cultural bridges through the arts.”
“Let us celebrate dance not only as an art form, but as a universal force that uplifts us, unites us, and speaks to the soul. Happy International Dance Day!”
Remarks by Mr. Praveen Kumar, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of India in Hungary
“Namaste! Distinguished Guests, Art Lovers, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome you on behalf of the Embassy of India to this beautiful celebration of International Dance Day. Dance is one of the oldest and most profound languages of humanity. It expresses what words cannot – it narrates history, spirituality, joy, and longing. It belongs to everyone.
Among India’s classical traditions, Bharatanatyam stands out for its combination of rhythm, discipline, expression, and grace. It is much more than just a performance – it is meditation in motion, prayer in movement.
We are delighted to present ‘Secrets of Movement’, an exceptional art exhibition by Ms. Mariann W. Wieger, whose fascination with Bharatanatyam has produced a body of work that is visually striking and spiritually resonant. Her art embodies not only aesthetic beauty, but also cultural empathy and genuine reverence for Indian traditions.
This exhibition reflects the growing cultural affinity between India and Hungary and the vital role of art in fostering mutual understanding.
I warmly congratulate the artist, and heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this evening. May we continue to celebrate our shared humanity through the arts.”
Address by the Chief Guest Dr. Eszter Lukács, Vice President, Széchenyi István University of Győr
Dr. Lukács welcomed the audience and praised the event as an exemplary act of cultural bridge-building.
She emphasized her university’s commitment to the performing arts, noting recent developments such as the integration of the Győr School of Dance and Fine Arts and partnerships with the Hungarian Dance University and the Győr Ballet, which create a continuous dance education path from primary school to higher education.
As a long-time yoga practitioner, Dr. Lukács drew a personal connection between Bharatanatyam and yoga, calling the classical Indian dance “devotion made visible”.
She lauded the artist for translating complex movements and spiritual intentions into a visual form, and expressed her appreciation for the Embassy’s dedication to cultural exchange.
Artist’s Reflection: Ms. Mariann W. Wieger
In her emotional remarks, Ms. Wieger shared how her immersion in Indian culture, especially through Bharatanatyam, became a deep artistic and spiritual journey.
“When I first encountered Bharatanatyam, I was struck by its sacred elegance – its ability to express emotion, mythology, and prayer through the human body. My paintings aim to capture not only the visible form, but also the energy, devotion, and symbolism that dwell within each movement.”
She described her creative process as a meditative act, combining various techniques such as batik, gilding, and layered textures to evoke the luminous essence of this dance tradition.
Cultural Performances
The cultural program featured impressive classical Indian dance performances, choreographed by Mr. Aniruddha Das, Odissi Dance Teacher at the Centre. Drawing from both Odissi and Bharatanatyam, the dances showcased India’s rich storytelling tradition, with performers using facial expressions, symbolic hand gestures, and stylized movements to bring ancient themes to life.
Adding a multicultural touch, the program also included a Peruvian folk dance performance, reinforcing the evening’s message of global unity through art.
Inauguration of the Exhibition: Secrets of Movement
The final part of the International Dance Day celebration was the official opening of the exhibition “Secrets of Movement” by Dr. Eszter Lukács. The temporary exhibition featured several dozen paintings by Mariann W. Wieger, depicting elegant dancers in dynamic poses, interwoven with mythological themes, spiritual symbolism, and traditional iconography.
Her use of batik and mixed media – with rich colours, textile textures, and metallic gold highlights – evokes a sacred ambiance. The works pay homage to Bharatanatyam’s origins in the temples and its role as a spiritual offering performed by devadasis. Her works reflect not only artistic sensitivity but also deep respect for the philosophy and storytelling embedded in Indian dance. The collection is a tribute to dance and a reflection on movement as meaning, exploring how art can embody cultural values across continents.
“Bharatanatyam speaks to me on a spiritual level,” said Ms. Wieger. “Through my paintings, I wanted to reflect the stories, the discipline, and the stillness within the movement. Each dancer in my work is also a storyteller and a seeker.”
A Final Reflection
Quoting a poetic reflection often attributed to the great scientist, Albert Einstein, encapsulating the emotional essence of dance: “We dance for laughter, we dance for tears, We dance for madness, we dance for fears, We dance for hopes, we dance for screams, We are the dancers, we create the dreams.”
Source: Embassy of India in Budapest, Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre
Photos by the Embassy of India in Budapest, Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre, and DPA
