Kalyan: The Nrityeshwar Foundation represented India at an international folk dance festival in Cheonan, South Korea, with a 29-member troupe showcasing the country’s rich folk art and cultural traditions.

Led by foundation president Shashikant Mestri, the troupe participated as ‘Team India’, promoting Indian culture on the international stage.

For over 35 years, the foundation has worked to preserve and promote Indian folk art while introducing traditional dance forms to younger generations.

During the visit, the artists met Das, a representative of the Indian Embassy in South Korea, who appreciated their efforts to represent India at an international event at a young age. He also commended Mestri and the troupe for their contribution to cultural promotion and extended his best wishes to the performers.

The participating artists included 20 girls and seven boys, who presented folk dances at the festival. The girls were Ananya Dedhia, Viha Master, Parshvi Rambhia, Freya Shah, Jia Parekh, Myra Chheda, Tiana Shah, Drishi Kubadia, Manya Gada, Aayana Jaykar, Vihanka Soni, Reeva Solanki, Anjali Ramesh, Jinal Gala, Anaya Dedhia, Hinal Gada, Nishka Shah, Sneha Master, Divya Shinde and Akshaya Mestri. The boys were Shlok Gogri, Nivaan Shah, Nishad Vira, Kunal Gogri, Kamal Chheda, Ballal Pimple and Siddhesh Mestri.

Students from Mumbai-based Shishuvan, Awa Bai Petit, Jamnabai and MET Rishikul Vidyalaya also participated in the cultural initiative.

The festival marked another milestone in the foundation’s 35-year journey, giving young artists an opportunity to showcase Indian folk traditions to an international audience.