The productions, featuring more than 30 members of the Indian diaspora in the Emirates, weave together Rabindra Sangeet, Indian classical music, Odissi dance and visual art in a tribute to togetherness and India-U.A.E. cultural ties.
In a celebration that blended music, memory and multicultural identity, the Malhaar Centre for Performing Arts unveiled two musical video productions this week to commemorate the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel Prize-winning Bengali poet, philosopher and composer.
Released on Malhaar’s official YouTube channel, MalhaarUAE as part of the United Arab Emirates’ “Year of Family” initiative, the productions- Ekla Cholo Re (“Walk Alone”) and Anondodhara Bohiche Bhubone (“A Stream of Joy Flows Through the World”)- brought together children, parents, musicians, dancers and artists from the Indian community across the Emirates in a tribute to Tagore’s enduring ideals of courage, joy and human connection.
The productions featured more than 30 performers from the Malhaar Junior and Senior Ensembles, combining Rabindra Sangeet with Indian classical instrumentation, Odissi dance and contemporary visual storytelling.
For Malhaar, the releases continue a longstanding engagement with Tagore’s artistic legacy. The Dubai-based institution has previously staged productions such as Tagore Meets Tagore, featuring veteran Indian actress Sharmila Tagore, and Romancing Tagore with acclaimed classical vocalist Shubha Mudgal.
The first film, Ekla Cholo Re– Tagore’s iconic anthem of resilience and moral courage- was performed by 22 children from across the U.A.E. Using traditional instruments including the tabla, harmonium, sitar, sarod and khol, the young ensemble presented a rendition centered on self-belief and perseverance, themes that continue to resonate across generations.
The second production, Anondodhara Bohiche Bhubone, featured 10 parents from the Malhaar Senior Ensemble, reflecting the spirit of collective celebration and familial unity championed by the U.A.E.’s national initiative.
The visual language of the film drew upon Bengal’s signature red-and-white palette, interwoven with artwork by Dubai-based artist Nivedita Saha and the fluid movements of Odissi, one of India’s oldest classical dance traditions.
“Tagore’s words continue to speak directly to the human spirit,” said Jogiraj Sikidar, founder and director of Malhaar. “Ekla Cholo Re is about courage in moments of uncertainty, while Anondodhara celebrates the universal flow of joy and togetherness. We felt these songs resonated deeply with the values embodied in the U.A.E.’s Year of Family.”
Sikidar said the initiative was also intended as a gesture of gratitude to the Emirates, which he described as a “second home” for many in the Indian diaspora. Malhaar plans to continue releasing community-driven musical productions throughout the year, bringing together artists and families through collaborative cultural projects.
The music direction and arrangements were led by Deborshee Mukherjee, who emphasized the global relevance of Tagore’s compositions.
“Tagore’s music possesses an extraordinary universality,” Mukherjee said. “Its melodic and emotional depth allows it to converse naturally with world music traditions while retaining its unmistakable identity.”
The choir was conducted by Malhaar artist Hafiza Sultana, while the video production and visual storytelling were developed in collaboration with MasterKopy and filmmaker Kapil Verma.
The releases follow another widely shared Malhaar production earlier this year: a rendition of the U.A.E. national anthem performed on Indian classical instruments by children in the Emirates.
The video garnered millions of views online and received acknowledgment from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates, who thanked the Indian community through his official social media platforms.
The tribute performance was also shared through the official social media handles of the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi, the Consulate General of India in Dubai, and the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, further reinforcing the growing cultural dialogue between India and the United Arab Emirates.
Together, the latest productions underscore the increasingly visible role of the arts in strengthening cultural ties between India and the United Arab Emirates, a relationship shaped not only by diplomacy and commerce, but also by shared communities, traditions and creative expression.
Malhaar Junior Ensamble: Ekla Cholo Re (“Walk Alone”): Watch Video
Malhaar Senior Ensemble: Anondodhara Bohiche Bhubone (“A Stream of Joy Flows Through the World”): Watch Video
