World Cultures Meet Highlights Strong Indonesia-India Relations

FAH Theater, UIN News Online - The Faculty of Adab and Humanities (FAH) at UIN Jakarta hosted an event titled “World Cultures Meet, Indian Dance, Volunteerism, and International Education” at the FAH theater on Thursday, July 25, 2024. The event featured two performances: the Bedana dance from Lampung and traditional Indian music and dance performed by Sriradha Paul.

The event was attended by the Vice Rector for Cooperation and Institutional Affairs, Din Wahid, M.A., Ph.D., Counsellor (Education) & Acting Director of the Jawaharlal Nehru Indian Cultural Centre (JNICC), Ram Kumar, Professor of Islamic Civilization History, Prof. Amirul Hadi, M.A., Ph.D., and Prof. Usep Abdul Matin, S.Ag., M.A., Ph.D. Also in attendance were the Director of the Social Trust Fund (STF), Prof. Amelia Fauzia, Ph.D., invited guests, and UIN Jakarta students.

Din Wahid warmly welcomed the Indian Embassy representatives and international volunteers. In his speech, he expressed gratitude for the collaboration between UIN Jakarta and the Indian Embassy. "UIN Jakarta is grateful for this partnership, as the embassy's mission is to spread goodwill to many people," he said.

Ram Kumar expressed his appreciation for being able to join the event. India is celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations with Indonesia. "We have many scholarship opportunities in India, ranging from short-term monthly scholarships to long-term annual scholarships, open to all Indonesians, from undergraduate to doctoral levels," he stated.

"In this event, we are showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Odisha, one of the states in India, performed by Sriradha and her team. She has visited many countries such as the United States, Sri Lanka, South Korea, and China," he explained.

In between her performances, Sriradha Paul expressed her interest in Indonesian culture, including its music, dance, gamelan, and the similarities between the Indonesian and Indian versions of the Ramayana or Mahabharata. "Indonesia and India share a deep emotional connection," she noted.

Prof. Amirul Hadi, M.A., Ph.D., highlighted that India's influence on Indonesian culture has been longstanding and evident in various aspects of life, from religion to the arts. The strategic location of the Indonesian archipelago as a major maritime trade route has brought economic, social, and cultural benefits.

Prof. Amirul continued, noting that the significant trade relations between India and Indonesia from the 4th to the 15th centuries greatly influenced Indonesian culture. Indian traders and migrants introduced religion, ideas, political culture, and cultural practices to the region. Indian influence is evident in the language, literature, arts, religion, and social structures of traditional Indonesian kingdoms. (Muhammad Naufal Waliyyudin/Fauziah M./Raihan Lail Ramadhan/Photo: Adib Taufiqurrahman)