Victoria Memorial Hall, in collaboration with the Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi, and the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Kolkata is honoured to present ‘Namaste Thailand Festival’ on 10 February 2025. The event will feature the renowned Khon performance – Episodes of Hanuman the Mighty Warrior, a distinguished masked dance-drama that portrays the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana epic.
Khon, an ancient and revered art form inscribed in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2018, exemplifies a harmonious integration of music, dance, and ritualistic traditions, reflecting the profound cultural exchanges between India and Thailand. The narrative of Hanuman’s valour and devotion is expressed through intricate choreography, symbolic gestures, and live music played on traditional indigenous instruments crafted from bamboo, wood, and metal. This visual and auditory masterpiece showcases the elegance of meticulously handcrafted costumes and masks, emblematic of Thailand’s rich craftsmanship. As a cultural celebration, the Khon performance serves as a bridge, uniting the shared heritage of India and Thailand and fostering mutual respect and understanding of the timeless artistic connections between the two nations.
Date: 10 February 2025
Venue: Western Terrace, Victoria Memorial Hall