Local dancers in Zambia set the stage on fire with their performance of ‘Lollipop Lagelu’ on Bihar Diwas, showcasing the reach of Bhojpuri language and culture beyond India’s borders. The event, which was organized by the Indian High Commission in Zambia, was attended by over 500 people, including Indian expatriates, Zambian locals, and dignitaries. According to High Commissioner of India to Zambia, Dr. Judhisthir Mishra, “The event was a huge success, and we were overwhelmed by the response from the local community.”
And what made this event even more special was the fact that the dancers were all locals, who had been trained by Indian choreographers specifically for this performance. As SP Ravi Kumar, a resident of Patna, who was part of the organizing team, said, “We wanted to showcase the richness of Bhojpuri culture, and the dancers did an excellent job of performing to the song ‘Lollipop Lagelu’, which is a popular hit in Bihar.” The song, which was released in 2012, has become an anthem of sorts for the Bhojpuri-speaking community, with its catchy tune and lyrics that celebrate the joy of life.
But what’s interesting to note is that Bhojpuri is not just limited to India; it has a significant following in other countries, including Zambia, where there is a sizeable Indian diaspora community. As per a report by the Indian Embassy in Zambia, there are over 20,000 people of Indian origin living in Zambia, many of whom are engaged in trade, commerce, and industry. And it’s this community that has been instrumental in promoting Indian culture and language in Zambia, with events like the Bihar Diwas celebration being a testament to their efforts.
The event, which was held on March 22, 2026, at the Zambia National Theatre in Lusaka, was a grand affair, with dignitaries like the Zambian Minister of Culture, Mrs. Jean Kapata, in attendance. As she said, “We are delighted to see the Indian community in Zambia promoting their culture and language, and we look forward to more such events in the future.” The Indian High Commission in Zambia has been actively promoting Indian culture and language in the country, with events like the Bihar Diwas celebration being a regular feature. In fact, the Commission has also established a Bhojpuri language and culture centre in Lusaka, which offers classes in Bhojpuri language and culture to locals and Indians alike.
For those who may not know, Bhojpuri is a language spoken by over 50 million people in India, primarily in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. It’s a language that is rich in folklore, music, and literature, with a unique cultural identity that is distinct from other Indian languages. And it’s this cultural identity that is being celebrated and promoted by the Indian community in Zambia, with events like the Bihar Diwas celebration being a testament to their efforts. As Entertainment news would have it, the Bhojpuri film industry has been gaining popularity in recent years, with many films being released in the language.
In fact, the Bhojpuri film industry has been instrumental in promoting the language and culture, with many films being made on themes that are relevant to the Bhojpuri-speaking community. As per a report by the Film Federation of India, the Bhojpuri film industry has grown by over 20% in the last year, with many new films being released in the language. And it’s not just films; Bhojpuri music has also been gaining popularity, with many singers like Pawan Singh and Khesari Lal Yadav becoming household names. As Pawan Singh, a popular Bhojpuri singer, said, “Bhojpuri music has a unique flavor that is distinct from other Indian music, and it’s this flavor that has made it so popular among the Bhojpuri-speaking community.”
And it’s this popularity that is being leveraged by the Indian community in Zambia, with events like the Bihar Diwas celebration being a testament to their efforts. As the Indian High Commissioner to Zambia, Dr. Judhisthir Mishra, said, “We are committed to promoting Indian culture and language in Zambia, and events like the Bihar Diwas celebration are an important part of our efforts.” The event, which was held on March 22, 2026, was a huge success, with over 500 people in attendance, and it’s expected that such events will continue to be held in the future.
But what’s interesting to note is that the promotion of Bhojpuri language and culture is not just limited to events like the Bihar Diwas celebration. The Indian High Commission in Zambia has also been working to promote Bhojpuri language and culture through other means, such as language classes and cultural workshops. As per a report by the Indian Embassy in Zambia, the Commission has established a Bhojpuri language and culture centre in Lusaka, which offers classes in Bhojpuri language and culture to locals and Indians alike. The centre, which was established in 2020, has been a huge success, with over 100 students enrolled in the language and culture classes.
And it’s not just the Indian community in Zambia that is promoting Bhojpuri language and culture. The Zambian government has also been supportive of efforts to promote Indian culture and language in the country. As the Zambian Minister of Culture, Mrs. Jean Kapata, said, “We value the cultural diversity of our country, and we are committed to promoting all cultures, including Indian culture.” The Zambian government has also been working to promote cultural exchange between India and Zambia, with many cultural events and festivals being held in the country.
In conclusion, the promotion of Bhojpuri language and culture is an important aspect of Indian culture and identity, and it’s being promoted not just in India but also in other countries like Zambia. Events like the Bihar Diwas celebration are an important part of these efforts, and they serve as a testament to the reach and popularity of Bhojpuri language and culture beyond India’s borders. As Latest News would have it, the promotion of Bhojpuri language and culture is a ongoing process, and it’s expected that such events will continue to be held in the future.