BRICS 2026: India Showcases 'Navarasa' Cultural Event

The 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi featured a special cultural presentation, 'Navarasa – The Universe of Shared Emotions,' during the BRICS Leaders’ Summit Gala Dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The performance, held at Bharat Mandapam on Saturday, September 12, 2026, highlighted India's rich artistic traditions and the universal power of emotions. It brought together different forms of Indian art to showcase how emotions can transcend language, geography, and cultural boundaries.

The concept of Navarasa comes from the ancient Indian performing arts tradition and refers to the nine fundamental emotions expressed through dance, theatre, and other art forms. These include love, humour, compassion, anger, courage, fear, disgust, wonder, and peace.

The symphony created a shared artistic expression that reflected the diversity, cultural richness, and spirit of togetherness of the BRICS family. The BRICS Leaders Summit's gala dinner made the evening special with 'Navarasa - The Universe of Shared Emotions'.

The highlight was 'BRICS Symphony - One Rhythm, Many Cultures', where musicians from member and partner countries blended their cultural diversity into one melody.

The cultural showcase added an artistic dimension to the high-level diplomatic gathering. Through music, movement, expressions, and traditional performance practices, 'Navarasa' aimed to present India's cultural heritage to an international audience.

The performance also reflected the broader theme of cultural exchange among BRICS nations. While the member countries have diverse histories, languages, and artistic traditions, emotions remain a common thread that connects people across societies.

India has a long history of using performing arts as a means of storytelling and cultural expression. Classical dance traditions, music, and theatre have historically relied on expressive gestures, facial expressions, and movement to communicate stories and emotions.

The 'Navarasa' presentation at the BRICS Summit served not only as an entertainment programme but also as a representation of India's soft power and cultural diversity.

The event showcased India's ability to bring people together through the universal language of emotions, highlighting the country's rich cultural heritage and its importance in the BRICS community.

In the end, the 'Navarasa' cultural event was a significant moment in the BRICS Summit, demonstrating the power of art and culture to bridge gaps and foster understanding among nations.