Prime Minister Narendra Modi received an enthusiastic welcome from the Indian community in Mauritius and was also treated to a performance of Geet Gawai, a rendition of traditional Bhojpuri songs, by the Indo-Mauritian community members on his arrival in Port Louis today.
In posts on X, the PM said:
“Deeply touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in Mauritius. Their strong connection to Indian heritage, culture and values is truly inspiring. This bond of history and heart continues to thrive across generations.”
“Memorable welcome in Mauritius. One of the highlights was the deep rooted cultural connect, seen in the Geet-Gawai performance. It’s commendable how the great Bhojpuri language thrives in the culture of Mauritius.”
Geet Gawai is a traditional Bhojpuri musical ensemble that embodies the rich cultural heritage brought to Mauritius by women from the Bhojpuri belt of India, particularly from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, following the Girmitiya indentured labor movement starting in 1834.
These vibrant Bhojpuri songs reflect the moods, stories, and myths of the past, celebrating themes such as family bonding, love for nature, and respect for the environment.
Geet Gawai is central to various life events, especially weddings, where it begins with invocations to Gods and Goddesses.
The tradition is also closely linked to festivals, such as Holi, and is sung to mark the changing seasons and agricultural events.
The musical ensemble typically features a lead woman singer, with a chorus of tradition bearers joining in, culminating in the rhythmic Jhumar, a dance and singing circle that continues till the early morning hours.
In recognition of its cultural significance, Geet Gawai was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2016. UNESCO states that Geet Gawai must be preserved in its authenticity and protected against the dangers of over exposure to commercialization. UNESCO also emphasizes the need to transmit this heritage, along with the Bhojpuri language, to younger generations through formal and non-formal education.
Earlier in the morning, the PM arrived in Port Louis and was welcomed at the airport by Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam and his wife Veena Ramgoolam, and a host of top government officials.
He is here on a two-day visit to attend the National Day celebrations as Chief Guest and to hold talks with his Mauritius counterpart.
