Home » THAILAND » Bangkok’s 27th International Festival of Dance and Music Opens with Mahabharata-Inspired Dance Drama, Attracting a Surge of Indian Tourists Published on
August 14, 2025On September 6, 2025, Bangkok’s prestigious Thailand Cultural Centre witnessed the grand opening of the 27th International Festival of Dance and Music with a performance that captivated audiences and drew thousands of Indian tourists to the city. The festival’s opening night featured the stunning dance musical Mahabharata — 18 Days, Dusk of an Era, a mesmerizing multimedia production that reimagines the ancient Indian epic.This year’s festival opening showcased a cultural masterpiece that seamlessly blends the time-honored storytelling of the Mahabharata with contemporary techniques, offering a unique, captivating experience for the attendees. The Mahabharata dance drama’s powerful visual effects, aerial acrobatics, and complex choreography made it a standout event, not only for the local audience in Bangkok but also for the Indian diaspora and travelers from India who flocked to the festival.Advertisement The Mahabharata production was carefully chosen to serve as the opening act due to its extraordinary scale, emotional depth, and the way it combines ancient storytelling with modern-day performance techniques. This dance drama perfectly encapsulated the ethos of the festival, which celebrates both heritage and innovation in the performing arts.A Grand Fusion of Traditional and Contemporary ArtsAt the heart of Mahabharata — 18 Days, Dusk of an Era lies the narrative of the 18-day Kurukshetra war, an iconic battle from the Mahabharata that explores themes of dharma (righteousness) and karma (actions and consequences). The production, presented by the esteemed Prabhat Arts International troupe from Pune, India, brings together more than 40 performers and 20 technicians, showcasing a fusion of Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Yakshagana, traditional martial arts, and original world music.The use of Vedic chants and war rhythms, combined with traditional Indian dance forms, elevated the performance to new heights. The choreography, designed to captivate both the visual and emotional senses, ensured that the story of the Mahabharata was told in a way that was both grand and intimate, taking the audience on a transformative journey.The Attraction for Indian TouristsAs the Mahabharata dance musical opened the festival, it attracted a large number of Indian tourists to Bangkok, drawn by the opportunity to witness one of India’s most important cultural stories presented on an international stage. For many, the performance was more than just a show—it was a connection to their roots, an opportunity to experience their cultural heritage in a foreign land. The success of the opening night led to an increase in Indian visitors to the Thailand Cultural Centre, contributing to the city’s tourism industry during the festival period.Indian tourists, who have long been known for their interest in cultural festivals and performances, were particularly enthusiastic about this dance musical, as it not only celebra …
