On Monday night, I was privileged to attend a JASHN-E-Bollywood performance, a joint collaboration between Indian dance group Taka Dimi Ta and Jerusalem dance group Hora Jerusalem.
Present at the event were Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion and India’s Ambassador to Israel, Jitender Pal Singh. The evening began with opening speeches from Lion and Pal Singh, who welcomed the audience and thanked those involved in putting together the collaboration.
The first performers, Jerusalem dance group Hora Jerusalem, kicked off the show with several upbeat sets. Their performances were beautifully choreographed and incorporated a variety of unusual dance styles.
However, it was India that really stole the show.
India is home to a rich variety of cultures, traditions, languages and artistic styles. Rather than presenting one single image of what Indian dance looks like, the performers moved between different styles, offering a glimpse into this beautiful cultural landscape.
Donning a wide variety of multicolored costumes, which they changed between each performance, and using an array of props, the Indian group lit up the auditorium with their colorful costumes, contagious energy and diverse dance styles.
While I had seen Indian dance in Bollywood movies before, this was my first time watching it live. I was pleasantly surprised to see a mix of traditional Indian dance alongside a wide variety of newer and more contemporary styles.
What really stood out to me, however, were the wide smiles on every dancer’s face. You could tell that every single one of them was having the time of their lives and enjoying being on stage. There was something particularly uplifting about watching that joy unfold in front of the audience.
With the tense climate in the Middle East, the surge in antisemitism and the multitude of threats surrounding us daily, it made a nice change to attend a pro-Israel event focused on celebrating and strengthening the India-Israel alliance.
At a time when many headlines about Israel are focused on conflict and division, there was something refreshing about an evening centered around culture, music, dance and friendship between two countries.
India is a key ally for Israel, and the countries’ diplomatic relationship dates back to 1992, when India established full diplomatic relations with Israel. The partnership has since developed into a broad relationship spanning defense, technology, agriculture, innovation and diplomacy.
This performance served as a reminder that relationships between countries are not only built through government meetings and agreements. They are also built through people, culture and shared experiences.
For a few hours, the auditorium was filled with music, color, smiles and dance. In the current climate, that felt like something worth celebrating.