On 10 February 2025, the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Kolkata, in collaboration with
the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi and Victoria Memorial Hall, presented a Khon performance: Episode of “Hanuman The Mighty Warrior” to celebrate Thailand’s rich cultural heritage and renowned performing arts. As part of the Royal Thai Government’s soft power initiative, the event showcased a mesmerizing and masterful performance by artists from the Bunditpatanasilpa Institute of Fine Arts, Department of Fine Arts, Ministry of Culture. Held at the iconic Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata, this remarkable performance brought
the grandeur and elegance of Thai classical dance drama to an international audience, further fostering cultural appreciation and strengthening the deep-rooted cultural ties between Thailand and India.

The event was graced by the presence of Dr. CV Ananda Bose, Governor of West Bengal, and
spouse, Mrs. Lakshmi Bose as Guests of Honor, alongside Mr. Indranil Sen, Minister-of-State for Tourism and Culture, , Ms Nandini Chakravorty, Home Secretary and Tourism Secretary. They were warmly welcomed by the co-hosts Miss Siriporn Tantipanyathep, Consul-General of Thailand in Kolkata, and Mr. Samarendra Kumar, Curator and Secretary of Victoria Memorial Hall. Over 300 distinguished guests attended, including members of the consular corps, representatives from Indian government and business sectors, travel associations, academic institutions, Friends of Thailand, and local media in Kolkata.

This event provided a unique platform to showcase Thailand’s rich cultural heritage to the local and international audiences in Kolkata while reinforcing the enduring cultural ties between Thailand and India. With the Ramakien, Thailand’s national epic, tracing its origins to the Indian Ramayana, this Khon performance stood as a tribute to the shared cultural heritage of both nations. As part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' cultural diplomacy efforts, this initiative sought to enhance people-to-people connectivity,
a fundamental pillar of bilateral cooperation, laying the foundation for future cooperation in various aspects between Thailand and India.

This event is part of the ‘Namaste Thailand Festival,’ now in its sixth consecutive year. Earlier this February, the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi hosted the Namaste Thailand Festival, featuring this Khon performance, before extending the program to Kolkata. This continuation serves to further promote Thailand’s rich cultural heritage and provide local audiences with the opportunity to experience the refined artistry of this traditional Thai performance firsthand.

**********************************